the Fifth Week after Easter
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Isaiah 35
Joy of the Redeemed
1 The desert(a) and the parched land will be glad;
the wilderness will rejoice and blossom.(b)
Like the crocus,(c) 2 it will burst into bloom;
it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy.(d)
The glory of Lebanon(e) will be given to it,
the splendor of Carmel(f) and Sharon;(g)
they will see the glory(h) of the Lord,
the splendor of our God.(i)
3 Strengthen the feeble hands,
steady the knees(j) that give way;
4 say(k) to those with fearful hearts,(l)
"Be strong, do not fear;(m)
your God will come,(n)
he will come with vengeance;(o)
with divine retribution
he will come to save(p) you."
5 Then will the eyes of the blind be opened(q)
and the ears of the deaf(r) unstopped.
6 Then will the lame(s) leap like a deer,(t)
and the mute tongue(u) shout for joy.(v)
Water will gush forth in the wilderness
and streams(w) in the desert.
7 The burning sand will become a pool,
the thirsty ground(x) bubbling springs.(y)
In the haunts where jackals(z) once lay,
grass and reeds(aa) and papyrus will grow.
8 And a highway(ab) will be there;
it will be called the Way of Holiness;(ac)
it will be for those who walk on that Way.
The unclean(ad) will not journey on it;
wicked fools will not go about on it.
9 No lion(ae) will be there,
nor any ravenous beast;(af)
they will not be found there.
But only the redeemed(ag) will walk there,
10 and those the Lord has rescued(ah) will return.
They will enter Zion with singing;(ai)
everlasting joy(aj) will crown their heads.
Gladness(ak) and joy will overtake them,
and sorrow and sighing will flee away.(al)
New International Version
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