15 In spite of these things,the people didn’t changetheir hearts and lives,and they didn’t turn from their sinsuntil they were torn awayfrom their land and scattered over the whole earth.The people who remainedwere few in number,but they had a rulerfrom the house of David.
16 Some of them did what pleased God,but others sinned even more.
17 Hezekiah strengthenedthe city’s defenses,and he provided a water supply.He tunneled through rockwith iron tools,and he constructed storage tanksfor water.
18 During his rule,Sennacherib moved on Jerusalem,commissioned the field commander,and departed.The field commander attacked Zion,and made great boastsin his arrogance.
19 Then the people’s hearts and handswere shaken,and they were in agonylike a woman who is in labor.
20 They called upon the Lordwho is merciful,reaching out their hands to him.The holy one at once heard themfrom heaven,and he rescued them through Isaiah.
21 The Lord struck downthe camp of the Assyrians,and his messenger destroyed them.