Isaiah 38:1-8

Expanded Bible

Hezekiah’s Illness^(A)

38 At that time Hezekiah became so sick he ·almost died [was about to die]. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to see him and told him, “·This is what the Lord says [^TThus says the Lord]: ·Make arrangements [^LSet your house in order], because you are going to die. You will not recover.”

² Hezekiah turned toward the wall and prayed to the Lord, ³ “Lord, please remember that I have always ·obeyed [^Lwalked before] you. I have ·given myself completely to you [served you wholeheartedly] and have done ·what you said was right [^Lright in the eyes/sight of the Lord].” Then Hezekiah ·cried loudly [wept bitterly].

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 [father] David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears. So I will add fifteen years to your life. ⁶ I will ·save [rescue] you and this city from [^Lthe hand of] the king of Assyria; I will defend this city.

⁷ “‘The Lord will do what he ·says [promises]. 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.