1In those days Hezekiah became ill to the point of death. And the prophet Isaiah, son of Amoz, came and told him, “Thus says the LORD, ‘Set your house in order; for you shall die, and not recover.’” 2Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall, and prayed to the LORD, saying, 3“Remember, O LORD, how I have faithfully walked before You in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done what is good in Your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly. 4And before Isaiah had reached the middle court, the word of the LORD came to him, saying, 5“Return, and tell Hezekiah, the ruler of My people, ‘Thus says the LORD, the God of David, your father, “I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; behold, I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the Temple of the LORD. 6And I will add fifteen years to your life. And I will defend you and this city from the king of Assyria; I will defend this city for My Own sake, and for My servant David's sake.”’” 7And Isaiah said, “Make a poultice of figs.” And they laid it on the boil, and he recovered. 8And Hezekiah had asked Isaiah, “What shall be the sign that the LORD will heal me, and that I shall go up into the Temple of the LORD the third day?” 9And Isaiah said, “You shall have a sign from the LORD, that He will do what He has promised: Would you like the shadow to go forward ten degrees, or backward ten degrees?” 10And Hezekiah answered, “It is a simple matter for the shadow to go ahead ten degrees; but let the shadow go backward ten degrees.” 11And Isaiah, the prophet, prayed to the LORD; and He brought the shadow backward ten degrees, beyond where it had progressed in the dial of Ahaz. 12At that time Berodach-baladan, son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah; for he had heard that Hezekiah had been sick. 13And Hezekiah received the envoys, and showed them all the house - his precious things: the silver, gold, spices, the precious ointment, his armory, and all that was among in his treasuries; there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah did not show them. 14Then Isaiah, the prophet, came to King Hezekiah, and asked him, “What did these men say? And where were they from?” And Hezekiah said, “They came from a far country, from Babylon.” 15And Isaiah asked, “What have they seen in your house?” And Hezekiah answered, “Everything that is in my house they have seen; there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shown them.” 16And Isaiah told Hezekiah, “Hear the word of the LORD. 17‘Behold, the days come, that all that is in your house, and that which your fathers have stored until this day, shall be carried off to Babylon; nothing shall be left’, says the LORD. 18‘And some of your sons, that you shall father, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.’” 19Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The word of the LORD which you have spoken is good.” For he thought, “Is it not good, if at least there is peace and security in my lifetime?” 20And the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and all his might, and how he made a pool, and a conduit to bring water into the city, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? 21And Hezekiah died; and Manasseh, his son, reigned in his stead. Reader-Friendly Bible: Purple Letter Edition © 2024 by Jim Musser. Used by Permission. All rights Reserved. Bible Hub |