by Clément Tendo
Leader: 15 This is what the high and exalted One says—
he who lives forever, whose name is holy:
ALL: “I live in a high and holy place,
but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit,
to revive the spirit of the lowly
and to revive the heart of the contrite.
Leader: 16 I will not accuse them forever,
nor will I always be angry,
for then they would faint away because of me—
the very people I have created.
ALL: 17 I was enraged by their sinful greed;
I punished them, and hid my face in anger,
yet they kept on in their willful ways.
Leader: 18 I have seen their ways, but I will heal them;
I will guide them and restore comfort to Israel’s mourners,
19 creating praise on their lips.
ALL: Peace, peace, to those far and near,”
says the LORD. “And I will heal them.”
by Clément Tendo
Isaiah 35:3–10 (NLT)
Leader: 3 Strengthen those who have tired hands,
and encourage those who have weak knees.
ALL: 4 Say to those with fearful hearts,
“Be strong, and do not fear,
for your God is coming to destroy your enemies.
He is coming to save you.”
Leader: 5 And when he comes, he will open the eyes of the blind
and unplug the ears of the deaf.
ALL: 6 The lame will leap like a deer,
and those who cannot speak will sing for joy!
Springs will gush forth in the wilderness,
and streams will water the wasteland.
Leader: 7 The parched ground will become a pool,
and springs of water will satisfy the thirsty land.
ALL: 8 And a great road will go through that once deserted land.
It will be named the Highway of Holiness.
Evil-minded people will never travel on it.
It will be only for those who walk in God’s ways;
Leader: 9 Lions will not lurk along the road,
nor any other ferocious beasts.
There will be no other dangers.
Only the redeemed will walk on it.
ALL: 10 Those who have been ransomed by the Lord will return.
They will be crowned with everlasting joy.
Sorrow and mourning will disappear,
and they will be filled with joy and gladness.
