1 In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to him and said, "This is what the LORD says: Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover." |
2 Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD , |
3 "Remember, O LORD , how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes." And Hezekiah wept bitterly. |
4 Then the word of the LORD came to Isaiah: |
5 "Go and tell Hezekiah, 'This is what the LORD , the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will add fifteen years to your life. |
6 And I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria. I will defend this city. |
7 " 'This is the LORD's sign to you that the LORD will do what he has promised: |
8 I will make the shadow cast by the sun go back the ten steps it has gone down on the stairway of Ahaz.' " So the sunlight went back the ten steps it had gone down. |
9 A writing of Hezekiah king of Judah after his illness and recovery: |
10 I said, "In the prime of my life
must I go through the gates of death1 38:10 Hebrew Sheol
and be robbed of the rest of my years?" |
11 I said, "I will not again see the LORD ,
the LORD , in the land of the living;
no longer will I look on mankind,
or be with those who now dwell in this world.2 38:11 A few Hebrew manuscripts; most Hebrew manuscripts in the place of cessation |
12 Like a shepherd's tent my house
has been pulled down and taken from me.
Like a weaver I have rolled up my life,
and he has cut me off from the loom;
day and night you made an end of me. |
13 I waited patiently till dawn,
but like a lion he broke all my bones;
day and night you made an end of me. |
14 I cried like a swift or thrush,
I moaned like a mourning dove.
My eyes grew weak as I looked to the heavens.
I am troubled; O Lord, come to my aid!" |
15 But what can I say?
He has spoken to me, and he himself has done this.
I will walk humbly all my years
because of this anguish of my soul. |
16 Lord, by such things men live;
and my spirit finds life in them too.
You restored me to health
and let me live. |
17 Surely it was for my benefit
that I suffered such anguish.
In your love you kept me
from the pit of destruction;
you have put all my sins
behind your back. |
18 For the grave3 38:18 Hebrew Sheol cannot praise you,
death cannot sing your praise;
those who go down to the pit
cannot hope for your faithfulness. |
19 The living, the living-they praise you,
as I am doing today;
fathers tell their children
about your faithfulness. |
20 The LORD will save me,
and we will sing with stringed instruments
all the days of our lives
in the temple of the LORD . |
21 Isaiah had said, "Prepare a poultice of figs and apply it to the boil, and he will recover." |
22 Hezekiah had asked, "What will be the sign that I will go up to the temple of the LORD ?" |
