Isaiah 35

NEW JERUSALEM	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Let the desert and the dry lands be glad, let the wasteland rejoice and bloom; like the asphodel,	1 The desert and the parched land will exult; the steppe will rejoice and bloom.
2 let it burst into flower, let it rejoice and sing for joy. The glory of Lebanon is bestowed on it, thesplendour of Carmel and Sharon; then they wil see the glory of Yahweh, the splendour of our God.	2 They will bloom with abundant flowers, and rejoice with joyful song. The glory of Lebanon will be given to them, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; They will see the glory of the LORD, the splendor of our God.
3 Strengthen al weary hands, steady al trembling knees	3 Strengthen the hands that are feeble, make firm the knees that are weak,
4 and say to the faint-hearted, 'Be strong! Do not be afraid. Here is your God, vengeance is coming,divine retribution; he is coming to save you.'	4 Say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not! Here is your God, he comes with vindication; With divine recompense he comes to save you.
5 Then the eyes of the blind wil be opened, the ears of the deaf unsealed,	5 Then will the eyes of the blind be opened, the ears of the deaf be cleared;
6 then the lame will leap like a deer and the tongue of the dumb sing for joy; for water wil gush in thedesert and streams in the wastelands,	6 Then will the lame leap like a stag, then the tongue of the dumb will sing. Streams will burst forth in the desert, and rivers in the steppe.
7 the parched ground wil become a marsh and the thirsty land springs of water; the lairs where thejackals used to live wil become plots of reed and papyrus.	7 The burning sands will become pools, and the thirsty ground, springs of water; The abode where jackals lurk will be a marsh for the reed and papyrus.
8 And through it wil run a road for them and a highway which will be cal ed the Sacred Way; the uncleanwil not be al owed to use it; He wil be the one to use this road, the fool will not stray along it.	8 A highway will be there, called the holy way; No one unclean may pass over it, nor fools go astray on it.
9 No lion wil be there, no ferocious beast set foot on it, nothing of the sort be found; it will be used by theredeemed.	9 No lion will be there, nor beast of prey go up to be met upon it. It is for those with a journey to make, and on it the redeemed will walk.
10 For those whom Yahweh has ransomed wil return, they will come to Zion shouting for joy, their headscrowned with joy unending; rejoicing and gladness wil escort them and sorrow and sighing wil take flight.	10 Those whom the LORD has ransomed will return and enter Zion singing, crowned with everlasting joy; They will meet with joy and gladness, sorrow and mourning will flee.