Isaiah 38:1-22 CEB

[1] At about that time Hezekiah became deathly sick. The prophet Isaiah, Amoz’s son, came to him and said: “The LORD God says this: Put your affairs in order because you are about to die. You won’t survive this.” [2] Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD: [3] “Please, LORD, remember how I’ve walked before you in truth and sincerity. I’ve done what you consider to be good.” Then Hezekiah cried and cried. [4] Then the LORD’s word came to Isaiah: [5] “Go and say to Hezekiah: The LORD, the God of your ancestor David, says this: I have heard your prayer and have seen your tears. I will add fifteen years to your life. [6] I will rescue you and this city from the power of the Assyrian king. I will defend this city. [7] This will be your sign from the LORD that he will do what he promised: [8] once the shadow cast by the sun descends on the steps of Ahaz, I will make it back up ten steps.” And the sun went back ten of the steps that it had already descended. [9] A composition by Judah’s King Hezekiah when he was sick and then recovered from his sickness: [10] I thought, I must depart in the prime of my life; I have been relegated to the gates of the underworld for the rest of my life. [11] I thought, I won’t see the LORD. The LORD is in the land of the living. I won’t look upon humans again or be with the inhabitants of the world. [12] My lifetime is plucked up and taken from me like a shepherd’s tent. My life is shriveled like woven cloth; God cuts me off from the loom. Between daybreak and nightfall you carry out your verdict against me. [13] I cried out until morning: “Like a lion God crushes all my bones. Between daybreak and nightfall you carry out your verdict against me. [14] Like a swallow I chirp; I moan like a dove. My eyes have grown weary looking to heaven. Lord, I’m overwhelmed; support me!” [15] What can I say? God has spoken to me; he himself has acted. I will wander my whole life with a bitter spirit. [16] The LORD Most High is the one who gives life to every heart, who gives life to the spirit! [17] Look, he indeed exchanged my bitterness for wholeness. You yourself have spared my whole being from the pit of destruction, because you have cast all my sins behind your back. [18] The underworld can’t thank you, nor can death praise you; those who go down to the pit can’t hope for your faithfulness. [19] The living, the living can thank you, as I do today. Parents will tell children about your faithfulness. [20] The LORD has truly saved me, and we will make music at the LORD’s house all the days of our lives. [21] Then Isaiah said, “Prepare a salve made from figs, put it on the swelling, and he’ll get better.” [22] Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “What’s the sign that I’ll be able to go up to the LORD’s temple?”