Isaiah 35:1-10, NIV
Map stones: Great joys that day; the deser and the parched land will be glad, the wilderness will rejoice and blossom; like the crocus, it will burst into bloom (vs 1-2, NIV); ..the splendour of Carmel and Sharon…see the glory of our God;…vengeance; with divine retribution..come to save you; be strong, do not fear;…the eyes of the blind be opened;…the lame leap like a deer…water will gush forth in the wilderness…, the burning sand will become a pool…vs 3-7; .. a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not journey on it; it will be for those who walk in that Way….wicked….redeemed will walk there vs 8; the ransomed of the LORD ..will enter Zion with singing;…joy will crown their heads..sorrow and sighing will flee away.
Isaiah 35:1-10, GNB
[1]The desert will rejoice, and flowers will bloom in the wilderness.
[2]The desert will sing and shout for joy; it will be as beautiful as the Lebanon Mountains and as fertile as the fields of Carmel and Sharon. Everyone will see the Lord’s splendour, see his greatness and power.
[3]Give strength to hands that are tired and to knees that tremble with weakness.
[4]Tell everyone who is discouraged, “Be strong and don’t be afraid! God is coming to your rescue, coming to punish your enemies.”
[5]The blind will be able to see, and the deaf will hear.
[6]The lame will leap and dance, and those who cannot speak will shout for joy. Streams of water will flow through the desert;
[7]the burning sand will become a lake, and dry land will be filled with springs. Where jackals used to live, marsh grass and reeds will grow.
[8]There will be a highway there, called “The Road of Holiness”. No sinner will ever travel that road; no fools will mislead those who follow it.
[9]No lions will be there; no fierce animals will pass that way. Those whom the Lord has rescued will travel home by that road.
[10]They will reach Jerusalem with gladness, singing and shouting for joy. They will be happy for ever, for ever free from sorrow and grief.