9. When King Hezekiah was well again, he wrote this poem:
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?”
11. I said, “Never again will I see the lord godwhile still in the land of the living.Never again will I see my friendsor be with those who live in this world.
12. My life has been blown awaylike 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.
13. I waited patiently all night,but I was torn apart as though by lions.Suddenly, my life was over.
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!”
15. But what could I say?For he himself sent this sickness.Now I will walk humbly throughout my yearsbecause of this anguish I have felt.
16. Lord, your discipline is good,for it leads to life and health.You restore my healthand allow me to live!
17. Yes, this anguish was good for me,for you have rescued me from deathand forgiven all my sins.
18. For the dead cannot praise you;they cannot raise their voices in praise.Those who go down to the gravecan no longer hope in your faithfulness.
19. Only the living can praise you as I do today.Each generation tells of your faithfulness to the next.
20. Think of it—the lord is ready to heal me!I will sing his praises with instrumentsevery day of my lifein the Temple of the lord.
21. Isaiah had said to Hezekiah’s servants, “Make an ointment from figs and spread it over the boil, and Hezekiah will recover.”
22. And Hezekiah had asked, “What sign will prove that I will go to the Temple of the lord?”