38 Then a time came when King Hezkiyah became critically ill, and the prophet Yeshayah (Isaiah, Amots’ son) went to him and told him, “Yahweh says that you should put all your affairs into order, because you won’t recover—your time is up.”

2 Then Hezkiyah rolled over to face the wall and prayed to Yahweh, 3 “Oh Yahweh, please remember how I’ve served you faithfully and with integrity, and done what pleases you.” Then Hezkiyah cried and cried.

4 Later, Yahweh gave Yeshayah this message, 5 “Go and tell the king that Yahweh, the god of his father David has taken notice of his prayer and seen his tears. So he’ll give him another fiften years 6 and will rescue both him and Yerushalem from the Assyrian king. Yahweh will defend this city 7 and this will be the sign from him that he will do what he’s said, 8 ‘Look, I will turn the shadow on the steps built by King Ahaz, back ten steps.’ ” So the sun’s shadow went back up ten steps that it had gone down.

20 By that time, King Hizkiyah 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 Hizkiyah 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 Hizkiyah 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 Hizkiyah, 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 Hizkiyah started getting better.

8 Hizkiyah 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 Hizkiyah. “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.

24 Some time afterwards, King Hizkiyah became very sick and was expected to die, but he prayed to Yahweh and Yahweh answered him with a miracle. 25 However, Hizkiyah was very proud and didn’t thank Yahweh, so his anger fell on Yerushalem and Yehudah. 26 Then Hezekiah and Yerushalem’s inhabitants humbled themselves, and so Yahweh’s anger didn’t affect them during Hizkiyah’s lifetime.