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.