Isaiah 38:9-20

New International Version

¹⁰ I said, “In the prime of my life^(A)
    must I go through the gates of death^(B)
    and be robbed of the rest of my years?^(C)”
¹¹ I said, “I will not again see the Lord himself^(D)
    in the land of the living;^(E)
no longer will I look on my fellow man,
    or be with those who now dwell in this world.
¹² Like a shepherd’s tent^(F) my house
    has been pulled down^(G) and taken from me.
Like a weaver I have rolled^(H) up my life,
    and he has cut me off from the loom;^(I)
    day and night^(J) you made an end of me.
¹³ I waited patiently^(K) till dawn,
    but like a lion he broke^(L) all my bones;^(M)
    day and night^(N) you made an end of me.
¹⁴ I cried like a swift or thrush,
    I moaned like a mourning dove.^(O)
My eyes grew weak^(P) as I looked to the heavens.
    I am being threatened; Lord, come to my aid!”^(Q)

¹⁵ But what can I say?^(R)
    He has spoken to me, and he himself has done this.^(S)
I will walk humbly^(T) all my years
    because of this anguish of my soul.^(U)
16 Lord, by such things people live;
    and my spirit finds life in them too.
You restored me to health
    and let me live.^(V)
17 Surely it was for my benefit^(W)
    that I suffered such anguish.^(X)
In your love you kept me
    from the pit^(Y) of destruction;
you have put all my sins^(Z)
    behind your back.^(AA)
18 For the grave^(AB) cannot praise you,
    death cannot sing your praise;^(AC)
those who go down to the pit^(AD)
    cannot hope for your faithfulness.
¹⁹ The living, the living—they praise^(AE) you,
    as I am doing today;
parents tell their children^(AF)
    about your faithfulness.

²⁰ The Lord will save me,
    and we will sing^(AG) with stringed instruments^(AH)
all the days of our lives^(AI)
    in the temple^(AJ) of the Lord.