1 About this time, Hezekiah got sick and was almost dead. So I went in and told him, “The Lord says you won't ever get well. You are going to die, and so you had better start doing what needs to be done.”
2 Hezekiah turned toward the wall and prayed,
3 “Don't forget that I have been faithful to you, Lord. I have obeyed you with all my heart, and I do whatever you say is right.” After this, he cried hard.
4 Then the Lord sent me
5 with this message for Hezekiah:I am the Lord God, who was worshiped by your ancestor David. I heard you pray, and I saw you cry. I will let you live 15 more years,
6 while I protect you and your city from the king of Assyria.
7 Now I will prove to you that I will keep my promise.
8 Do you see the shadow made by the setting sun on the stairway built for King Ahaz? I will make the shadow go back ten steps.Then the shadow went back ten steps.
9 This is what Hezekiah wrote after he got well:
10 I thought I would dieduring my best yearsand stay as a prisoner foreverin the world of the dead.
11 I thought I would never againsee you, my Lord,or any of the peoplewho live on this earth.
12 My life was taken from melike the tent that a shepherdpulls up and moves.You cut me off like threadfrom a weaver's loom;you make a wreck of meday and night.
13 Until morning came, I thoughtyou would crush my bonesjust like a hungry lion;both night and dayyou make a wreck of me.
14 I cry like a swallow;I mourn like a dove.My eyes are redfrom looking to you, Lord.I am in terrible trouble.Please come and help me.
15 There's nothing I can sayin answer to you,since you are the onewho has done this to me.My life has turned sour;I will limp until I die.
16 Your words and your deedsbring life to everyone,including me.Please make me healthyand strong again.
17 It was for my own goodthat I had such hard times.But your love protected mefrom doom in the deep pit,and you turned your eyesaway from my sins.
18 No one in the world of the deadcan thank you or praise you;none of those in the deep pitcan hope for youto show themhow faithful you are.
19 Only the living can thank you,as I am doing today.Each generation tells the nextabout your faithfulness.
20 You, Lord, will save me,and every day that we livewe will sing in your templeto the musicof stringed instruments.
21 I had told King Hezekiah's servants to put some mashed figs on the king's open sore, and he would get well.
22 Then Hezekiah asked for proof that he would again worship in the Lord's temple.