Isaiah 38:1-22 NCV

[1] At that time Hezekiah became very sick; he was almost dead. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to see him and told him, "This is what the LORD says: Make arrangements, because you are not going to live, but die." [2] Hezekiah turned toward the wall and prayed to the LORD, [3] "LORD, please remember that I have always obeyed you. I have given myself completely to you and have done what you said was right." Then 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 seen your tears. So I will add fifteen years to your life. [6] I will save you and this city from the king of Assyria; I will defend this city. [7] "'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, but 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 of death? 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 and 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, people 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 but threw my sins far away. [18] People in the place of the dead 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 play songs on stringed instruments in the Temple of the LORD all the days of our lives. [21] Then Isaiah said, "Make a paste from figs and put it on Hezekiah's boil. Then he will get well." [22] Hezekiah then asked Isaiah, "What will be the sign? What will show that I will go up to the Temple of the LORD?"