Read the Bible

Zion's Joyful Future

¹ The ^(C1)wilderness and the dry land will be glad;
The ^(C2)Arabah (desert) will shout in exultation and blossom
Like the ^(F1)autumn crocus.

² It will ^(C1)blossom abundantly
And ^(C2)rejoice with joy and singing.
The ^(C3)glory of Lebanon will be given to it,
The majesty of Mount ^(C4)Carmel and the plain of Sharon.
They will see the ^(C5)glory of the LORD,
The majesty and splendor of our God.

^3 (C1)Encourage the exhausted, and make staggering knees firm. ^(VR1)

⁴ Say to those with an ^(C1)anxious and panic-stricken heart,
"Be strong, fear not!
Indeed, your God will come with ^(C2)vengeance for the ungodly;
The ^(C3)retribution of God will come,
But He will ^(C4)save you."

⁵ Then the ^(C1)eyes of the blind will be opened
And the ears of the deaf will be unstopped.

⁶ Then the ^(C1)lame will leap like a deer,
And the ^(C2)tongue of the mute will shout for joy.
For waters will break forth in the ^(C3)wilderness
And streams in the desert. ^(VR1)

⁷ And the burning sand (mirage) will become a pool of water
And the thirsty ground ^(C1)springs of water;
In the ^(C2)haunt of jackals, ^(F1)where they lay resting,
Grass becomes reeds and ^(F2)rushes.

⁸ A ^(C1)highway will be there, and ^(C2)a roadway;
And it will be called the ^(C3)Holy Way.
The unclean will not travel on it,
But it will be for those who walk on the way the redeemed;
And ^(C4)fools will not wander on it.

⁹ No ^(C1)lion will be there,
Nor will any predatory animal come up on it;
They will not be found there.
But ^(C2)the redeemed will walk there.

¹⁰ And ^(C1)the ransomed of the LORD will return
And come to Zion with shouts of jubilation,
And everlasting joy will be upon their heads;
They will find joy and gladness,
And ^(C2)sorrow and sighing will flee away.