Hezekiah’s Illness

38 In those days, Hezekiah became sick to death, and Isaiah son of Amoz, the prophet, came to him and said to him, “Thus says Yahweh: ‘Order your house, for you are about to die, and you shall not recover.’ ” 2 Then[fn] Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to Yahweh, 3 and he said, “O Yahweh, please remember how[fn] I have walked before your presence[fn] in faithfulness with a whole heart, and I have done the good in your eyes!” And Hezekiah wept with great weeping.

4 Then[fn] the word of Yahweh came[fn] to Isaiah, saying, 5 “Go and say to Hezekiah, ‘Thus says Yahweh, the God of David your ancestor:[fn] “I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Look, I am going to[fn] add fifteen years to your days. 6 And I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria, and I will defend this city.” ’

7 And this is the sign to you from Yahweh, that Yahweh will do this thing that he has spoken: 8 Look! I will cause the shadow of the steps, which it had gone down on the steps of Ahaz with the sun, to turn backwards ten steps.” And the sun turned back ten steps on the steps which it had gone down.

9 A writing of Hezekiah, king of Judah, when he was sick and had recovered from his sickness:

• 10 I am summoned through the gates of Sheol for the rest of my years.”
• 11  I shall no more look at humankind among the inhabitants of the world.
• 12  I have rolled up my life like a weaver.
• He cuts me off from the thrum;
  • from day to night you bring me to an end.
  • 13 [fn] until morning; like a lion, so he breaks all my bones;
  • from day to night you bring me to an end.
  • 14  I moan like a dove.
• My eyes are weak toward the height.
  • Lord, I have oppression; lend me support!
  • 15 [fn] he has spoken to me, and he himself has done it.
• I will walk slowly all my years because of the bitterness of my soul.
• 16  And restore me to health and keep me alive!
• 17  And you were the one who loved[fn] my life from the pit of destruction,
  • for you have cast all my sins behind your back.
  • 18 cannot praise you. Those who go down to the pit cannot hope for your faithfulness.
  • 19 The living, the living one praises you like me today; a father will make your faithfulness known to children.
• 20 on stringed instruments all the days of our lives at the temple[fn] of Yahweh.”

21 And Isaiah said, “Let them take[fn] a lump of figs, and let them rub it on the boil so that[fn] he may recover.” 22 And Hezekiah said, “What is the sign that I shall go up to the temple[fn] of Yahweh?”