Isaiah 38:1-22 NIV

Isaiah 38:1-22 NIV [1] In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to him and said, “This is what the LORD says: Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover.” [2] Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, [3] “Remember, LORD, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly. [4] Then the word of the LORD came to Isaiah: [5] “Go and tell Hezekiah, ‘This is what the LORD, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will add fifteen years to your life. [6] And I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria. I will defend this city. [7] “ ‘This is the LORD’s sign to you that the LORD will do what he has promised: [8] I will make the shadow cast by the sun go back the ten steps it has gone down on the stairway of Ahaz.’ ” So the sunlight went back the ten steps it had gone down. [9] A writing of Hezekiah king of Judah after his illness and recovery: [10] I said, “In the prime of my life must I go through the gates of death and be robbed of the rest of my years?” [11] I said, “I will not again see the LORD himself in the land of the living; no longer will I look on my fellow man, or be with those who now dwell in this world. [12] Like a shepherd’s tent my house has been pulled down and taken from me. Like a weaver I have rolled up my life, and he has cut me off from the loom; day and night you made an end of me. [13] I waited patiently till dawn, but like a lion he broke all my bones; day and night you made an end of me. [14] I cried like a swift or thrush, I moaned like a mourning dove. My eyes grew weak as I looked to the heavens. I am being threatened; Lord, come to my aid!” [15] But what can I say? He has spoken to me, and he himself has done this. I will walk humbly all my years because of this anguish of my soul. [16] Lord, by such things people live; and my spirit finds life in them too. You restored me to health and let me live. [17] Surely it was for my benefit that I suffered such anguish. In your love you kept me from the pit of destruction; you have put all my sins behind your back. [18] For the grave cannot praise you, death cannot sing your praise; those who go down to the pit cannot hope for your faithfulness. [19] The living, the living—they praise you, as I am doing today; parents tell their children about your faithfulness. [20] The LORD will save me, and we will sing with stringed instruments all the days of our lives in the temple of the LORD. [21] Isaiah had said, “Prepare a poultice of figs and apply it to the boil, and he will recover.” [22] Hezekiah had asked, “What will be the sign that I will go up to the temple of the LORD?”

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