1 GLT The wilderness and the desert will be glad; and the Arabah will rejoice and blossom. Like the rose, BSB BSB: The wilderness and the dry land will be glad; the desert will rejoice and blossom like a rose.
2 GLT it will blossom abundantly and rejoice, even{ with} joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of Yahweh, the splendor of our God. BSB BSB: It will bloom profusely and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon. They will see the glory of the LORD, the splendor of our God.
3 GLT Strengthen the weak hands, and the shaky knees, steady. BSB BSB: Strengthen the limp hands and steady the feeble knees!
4 GLT Say to those fearful of heart,“Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come{ with} vengeance,{ with} the recompense of God. He himself will come and save you.” BSB BSB: Say to those with anxious hearts: “Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance. With divine retribution He will come to save you.”
5 GLT Then the eyes of the blind will be opened, and the ears of the deaf will be opened. BSB BSB: Then the eyes of the blind will be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped.
6 GLT Then the lame one will leap like a deer, and the mute tongue will sing, for water breaks out in the wilderness, and streams in the Arabah. BSB BSB: Then the lame will leap like a deer and the mute tongue will shout for joy. For waters will gush forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert.
7 GLT And the parched ground will become a pool, and the thirsty place springs of water; in the habitation of jackals, its resting place, grass with reeds and rushes. BSB BSB: The parched ground will become a pool, the thirsty land springs of water. In the haunt where jackals once lay, there will be grass and reeds and papyrus.
8 GLT And there a highway and way will be, and it will be called‘the way of holiness.’ The unclean will not travel it. But it{ will be} for him, the wayfarer of the road, and no fool will wander{ it}. BSB BSB: And there will be a highway called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not travel it—only those who walk in the Way—and fools will not stray onto it.
9 GLT No lion will be there, and no ferocious beast will go up on it; they will not be found there. But the redeemed will walk it, BSB BSB: No lion will be there, and no vicious beast will go up on it. Such will not be found there, but the redeemed will walk upon it.
10 GLT and the ransomed of Yahweh will return and come with singing to Zion, with everlasting joy on their heads; gladness and joy will overtake{ them}, and sorrow and sighing will flee away. BSB BSB: So the redeemed of the LORD will return and enter Zion with singing, crowned with everlasting joy. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee.
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.