Isaiah 38 :: New International Version (NIV)

Hezekiah’s Illness

(2Ki 20:1–11; 2Ch 32:24–26 )

Isa 38:1In 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.”

Isa 38:2

Isa 38:2Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD,

Isa 38:3

Isa 38:3“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.

Isa 38:4

Isa 38:4Then the word of the LORD came to Isaiah:

Isa 38:5

Isa 38:5“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.

Isa 38:6

Isa 38:6And I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria. I will defend this city.

Isa 38:7

Isa 38:7“ ‘This is the LORD’s sign to you that the LORD will do what he has promised:

Isa 38:8

Isa 38:8I 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.

Isa 38:9

Isa 38:9A writing of Hezekiah king of Judah after his illness and recovery:

Isa 38:10

Isa 38:10I said, “In the prime of my life must I go through the gates of death and be robbed of the rest of my years?”

Isa 38:11

Isa 38:11I 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.

Isa 38:12

Isa 38:12Like 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.

Isa 38:13

Isa 38:13I waited patiently till dawn, but like a lion he broke all my bones; day and night you made an end of me.

Isa 38:14

Isa 38:14I 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!”

Isa 38:15

Isa 38:15But 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.

Isa 38:16

Isa 38:16Lord, by such things people live; and my spirit finds life in them too. You restored me to health and let me live.

Isa 38:17

Isa 38:17Surely 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.

Isa 38:18

Isa 38:18For the grave cannot praise you, death cannot sing your praise; those who go down to the pit cannot hope for your faithfulness.

Isa 38:19

Isa 38:19The living, the living—they praise you, as I am doing today; parents tell their children about your faithfulness.

Isa 38:20

Isa 38:20The LORD will save me, and we will sing with stringed instruments all the days of our lives in the temple of the LORD.

Isa 38:21

Isa 38:21Isaiah had said, “Prepare a poultice of figs and apply it to the boil, and he will recover.”

Isa 38:22

Isa 38:22Hezekiah had asked, “What will be the sign that I will go up to the temple of the LORD?”

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