Isaiah 38:1-22 ICB

[1] At that time Hezekiah became very sick. He was almost dead. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to see him. Isaiah told him, "This is what the Lord says: You are going to die. So you should give your last orders to everyone. You will not get well." [2] Hezekiah turned toward the wall and prayed to the Lord. [3] He said, "Lord, please remember that I have always obeyed you. I have given myself completely to you. I have done what you said was right." And Hezekiah cried loudly. [4] Then the Lord spoke his word to Isaiah: [5] "Go to Hezekiah and tell him: 'This is what the Lord, the God of your ancestor David, says: I have heard your prayer. And I have seen your tears. I will add 15 years to your life. [6] I will save you and this city from the king of Assyria. I will defend this city.'" [7] Isaiah said, "The Lord will do what he says. This is the sign from the Lord to show you: [8] The sun has made a shadow go down the stairway of Ahaz. I will make it go back ten steps." So the shadow made by the sun went back up the ten steps it had gone down. [9] After Hezekiah king of Judah got well, he wrote this song: [10] I said, "I am in the middle of my life. Do I have to go through the gates where the dead are now? Will I have the rest of my life taken away from me?" [11] I said, "I will not see the Lord in the land of the living again. I will not again see the people who live on the earth. [12] Like a shepherd's tent, my home has been pulled down and taken from me. I am finished like the cloth a weaver rolls up and cuts from the loom. In one day you brought me to this end. [13] All night I cried loudly. Like a lion, he crushed all my bones. In one day you brought me to this end. [14] I cried like a bird. I moaned like a dove. My eyes became tired as I looked to the heavens. Lord, I have troubles. Please help me." [15] What can I say? The Lord told me what would happen and then made it happen. I have had these troubles in my soul. So now I will be humble all my life. [16] Lord, because of you, men live. Because of you, my spirit also lives. You made me well and let me live. [17] It was for my own good that I had such troubles. Because you love me very much, you did not let me die. You threw my sins far away. [18] People in the place where the dead are cannot praise you. Those who have died cannot sing praises to you. Those who die don't trust you to help them. [19] The people who are alive are the ones who praise you. They praise you as I praise you today. A father should tell his children that you provide help. [20] The Lord saved me. So we will sing and play songs. We will make music in the Temple of the Lord all the days of our lives. [21] Then Isaiah said, "Make a paste from figs. Put it on Hezekiah's boil. Then he will get well." [22] Hezekiah asked Isaiah, "What will be the sign? What will show that I will go up to the Temple of the Lord?"