Isaiah 35

NEW JERUSALEM	NEW JERUSALEM
1 Let the desert and the dry lands be glad, let the wasteland rejoice and bloom; like the asphodel,	1 Let the desert and the dry lands be glad, let the wasteland rejoice and bloom; like the asphodel,
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 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.
3 Strengthen al weary hands, steady al trembling knees	3 Strengthen al weary hands, steady al trembling knees
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 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.'
5 Then the eyes of the blind wil be opened, the ears of the deaf unsealed,	5 Then the eyes of the blind wil be opened, the ears of the deaf unsealed,
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 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,
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 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.
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 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.
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 wil be there, no ferocious beast set foot on it, nothing of the sort be found; it will be used by theredeemed.
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 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.