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38:1  About that time Hezekiah became deathly ill, and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to visit him. He gave the king this message: "This is what the LORD says: 'Set your affairs in order, for you are going to die. You will not recover from this illness.'"
38:2  When Hezekiah heard this, he turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD,
38:3  "Remember, O LORD, how I have always been faithful to you and have served you single-mindedly, always doing what pleases you." Then he broke down and wept bitterly.
38:4  Then this message came to Isaiah from the LORD:
38:5  "Go back 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. I will add fifteen years to your life,
38:6  and I will rescue you and this city from the king of Assyria. Yes, I will defend this city.
38:7  "'And this is the sign from the LORD to prove that he will do as he promised:
38:8  I will cause the sun's shadow to move ten steps backward on the sundial of Ahaz!'" So the shadow on the sundial moved backward ten steps.
38:9  When King Hezekiah was well again, he wrote this poem:
38:10  I said, "In the prime of my life, must I now enter the place of the dead? Am I to be robbed of the rest of my years?"
38:11  I said, "Never again will I see the LORD God while still in the land of the living. Never again will I see my friends or be with those who live in this world.
38:12  My life has been blown away like a shepherd's tent in a storm. It has been cut short, as when a weaver cuts cloth from a loom. Suddenly, my life was over.
38:13  I waited patiently all night, but I was torn apart as though by lions. Suddenly, my life was over.
38:14  Delirious, I chattered like a swallow or a crane, and then I moaned like a mourning dove. My eyes grew tired of looking to heaven for help. I am in trouble, Lord. Help me!"
38:15  But what could I say? For he himself sent this sickness. Now I will walk humbly throughout my years because of this anguish I have felt.
38:16  Lord, your discipline is good, for it leads to life and health. You restore my health and allow me to live!
38:17  Yes, this anguish was good for me, for you have rescued me from death and forgiven all my sins.
38:18  For the dead cannot praise you; they cannot raise their voices in praise. Those who go down to the grave can no longer hope in your faithfulness.
38:19  Only the living can praise you as I do today. Each generation tells of your faithfulness to the next.
38:20  Think of it--the LORD is ready to heal me! I will sing his praises with instruments every day of my life in the Temple of the LORD.
38:21  Isaiah had said to Hezekiah's servants, "Make an ointment from figs and spread it over the boil, and Hezekiah will recover."
38:22  And Hezekiah had asked, "What sign will prove that I will go to the Temple of the LORD?"