20 By that time, King Hizkiyyah was terminally ill and Amots’s son the prophet Yeshayah (Isaiah) came to him and told him, “Yahweh says to get your affairs in order because you’re dying and won’t recover.”

2 But Hizkiyyah rolled over to face the wall and prayed to Yahweh, 3 “Oh Yahweh, please remember that I’ve served you faithfully, and done what you asked with total sincerity.” Then Hezekiah cried loudly.

4 As Yeshayah was leaving, Yahweh gave him this message before he’d even reached the middle courtyard, 5 “Go back and tell Hizkiyyah, the leader of my people, ‘Your ancestor David’s God Yahweh says that he’s heard your prayer and seen your tears. He’s decided to heal you and you’ll be well enough to go to the temple within three days. 6 He’s added fifteen years to your life, plus he’ll rescue you and this city from the Assyrian king. Yahweh will defend Yerushalem for his own sake and for the sake of his servant David.”

7 Then Yeshayah told them to bring some pressed figs, and they brought them and placed them on the sore, and Hizkiyyah started getting better.

8 Hezekiah asked Yeshayah, “What’s the sign that Yahweh will heal me and that I’ll be able to go to the temple on the third day?”

9 “Yes, Yahweh will give you a sign that he’ll do what he said,” Yeshayah replied. “Do you want the shadows to advance suddenly or go back?”

10 “It’s easy for the shadows go forward,” said Hizkiyyah. “So make them go backwards ten steps.”

11 So the prophet Yeshayah called to Yahweh, and he made the shadow go back on the steps made by King Ahaz—the shadow went ten steps backward.