14-15 Hezekiah took the letter from the envoy and read it. He went to The Temple of God and spread it out before God. And Hezekiah prayed—oh, how he prayed!God, God of Israel, seatedin majesty on the cherubim-throne.You are the one and only God,sovereign over all kingdoms on earth,Maker of heaven,maker of earth.
16 Open your ears, God, and listen,open your eyes and look.Look at this letter Sennacherib has sent,a brazen insult to the living God!
17 The facts are true, O God: The kings of Assyriahave laid waste countries and kingdoms.
18 Huge bonfires they made of their gods, theirno-gods hand-made from wood and stone.
19 But now O God, our God,save us from raw Assyrian power;Make all the kingdoms on earth knowthat you are God, the one and only God.
20-21 It wasn’t long before Isaiah son of Amoz sent word to Hezekiah:God’s word: You’ve prayed to me regarding Sennacherib king of Assyria; I’ve heard your prayer. This is my response to him:The Virgin Daughter of Zionholds you in utter contempt;Daughter Jerusalemthinks you’re nothing but scum.
22 Who do you think it is you’ve insulted?Who do you think you’ve been bad-mouthing?Before whom do you suppose you’ve been strutting?The Holy One of Israel, that’s who!