³ A voice of one calling:
“In the wilderness prepare
    the way^(A) for the Lord^[a];
make straight^(B) in the desert
    a highway for our God.^[b](C)

¹⁶ I will lead^(A) the blind^(B) by ways they have not known,
    along unfamiliar paths I will guide them;
I will turn the darkness into light^(C) before them
    and make the rough places smooth.^(D)
These are the things I will do;
    I will not forsake^(E) them.

¹⁶ This is what the Lord says—
    he who made a way through the sea,
    a path through the mighty waters,^(A)

¹⁹ See, I am doing a new thing!^(A)
    Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness^(B)
    and streams in the wasteland.^(C)

¹¹ I will turn all my mountains into roads,
    and my highways^(A) will be raised up.^(B)

¹⁰ Was it not you who dried up the sea,^(A)
    the waters of the great deep,^(B)
who made a road in the depths of the sea^(C)
    so that the redeemed^(D) might cross over?

“Build up, build up, prepare the road!^(A)
    Remove the obstacles out of the way of my people.”^(B)

¹⁰ Pass through, pass through the gates!^(A)
    Prepare the way for the people.
Build up, build up the highway!^(B)
    Remove the stones.
Raise a banner^(C) for the nations.