Dual PanelGod Will Comfort His People
1The dry desert will rejoice. The desert will be glad and blossom.
2It will be covered with flowers and dance with joy. It will be as beautiful as the forest of Lebanon, the hill of Carmel, and the Sharon Valley. This will happen because all people will see the Glory of the LORD. They will see the beauty of our God.
3Make the weak arms strong again. Strengthen the weak knees.
4Say to those who are afraid and confused, “Be strong! Don’t be afraid! Look, your God will come, and he will punish your enemies. He will pay them back for what they have done. He will come and save you.
5Then the eyes of the blind will be opened so that they can see, the ears of the deaf will be opened so that they can hear.
6Crippled people will dance like deer, and those who cannot speak now will use their voices to sing happy songs. This will happen when springs of water begin to flow in the dry desert.
7Now people see mirages that look like water, but then there will be real pools of water. There will be wells in the dry land and water will flow from the ground. Tall water plants will grow where wild animals once ruled.
8There will be a great road there, a highway called “The Holy Road.” Evil people will not be allowed to use that road. It will be only for those who follow the right way, never for those who live foolishly.
9There will be no dangers on that road— no lions or other animals that attack people. The only people to travel that road will be the people God saves.
10The LORD will make his people free, and they will come back to him. They will come into Zion rejoicing. They will be happy forever. Their happiness will be like a crown on their heads. Gladness and joy will fill them completely. Sorrow and sadness will be far, far away.