1 Depois destas coisas e desta fidelidade, veio Senaqueribe, rei da Assíria, entrou em Judá, acampou-se contra as cidades fortificadas e intentou apoderar-se delas. 2 Vendo, pois, Ezequias que Senaqueribe vinha e que estava resolvido a pelejar contra Jerusalém, 3 resolveu, de acordo com os seus príncipes e os seus homens valentes, tapar as fontes das águas que havia fora da cidade; e eles o ajudaram. 4 Assim, muito povo se ajuntou, e taparam todas as fontes, como também o ribeiro que corria pelo meio da terra, pois diziam: Por que viriam os reis da Assíria e achariam tantas águas? 5 Ele cobrou ânimo, restaurou todo o muro quebrado e sobre ele ergueu torres; levantou também o outro muro por fora, fortificou a Milo na Cidade de Davi e fez armas e escudos em abundância. 6 Pôs oficiais de guerra sobre o povo, reuniu-os na praça da porta da cidade e lhes falou ao coração, dizendo: 7 Sede fortes e corajosos, não temais, nem vos assusteis por causa do rei da Assíria, nem por causa de toda a multidão que está com ele; porque um há conosco maior do que o que está com ele. 8 Com ele está o braço de carne, mas conosco, o Senhor, nosso Deus, para nos ajudar e para guerrear nossas guerras. O povo cobrou ânimo com as palavras de Ezequias, rei de Judá.

9 Depois disto, enquanto Senaqueribe, rei da Assíria, com todo o seu exército sitiava Laquis, enviou os seus servos a Ezequias, rei de Judá, que estava em Jerusalém, dizendo: 10 Assim diz Senaqueribe, rei da Assíria: Em que confiais vós, para vos deixardes sitiar em Jerusalém? 11 Acaso, não vos incita Ezequias, para morrerdes à fome e à sede, dizendo: O Senhor, nosso Deus, nos livrará das mãos do rei da Assíria? 12 Não é Ezequias o mesmo que tirou os seus altos e os seus altares e falou a Judá e a Jerusalém, dizendo: Diante de apenas um altar vos prostrareis e sobre ele queimareis incenso? 13 Não sabeis vós o que eu e meus pais fizemos a todos os povos das terras? Acaso, puderam, de qualquer maneira, os deuses das nações daquelas terras livrar o seu país das minhas mãos? 14 Qual é, de todos os deuses daquelas nações que meus pais destruíram, que pôde livrar o seu povo das minhas mãos, para que vosso Deus vos possa livrar das minhas mãos? 15 Agora, pois, não vos engane Ezequias, nem vos incite assim, nem lhe deis crédito; porque nenhum deus de nação alguma, nem de reino algum pôde livrar o seu povo das minhas mãos, nem das mãos de meus pais; quanto menos vos poderá livrar o vosso Deus das minhas mãos?

16 Os seus servos falaram ainda mais contra o Senhor Deus e contra Ezequias, seu servo. 17 Senaqueribe escreveu também cartas, para blasfemar do Senhor, Deus de Israel, e para falar contra ele, dizendo: Assim como os deuses das nações de outras terras não livraram o seu povo das minhas mãos, assim também o Deus de Ezequias não livrará o seu povo das minhas mãos. 18 Clamaram os servos em alta voz em judaico contra o povo de Jerusalém, que estava sobre o muro, para os atemorizar e os perturbar, para tomarem a cidade. 19 Falaram do Deus de Jerusalém, como dos deuses dos povos da terra, obras das mãos dos homens. 20 Porém o rei Ezequias e Isaías, o profeta, filho de Amoz, oraram por causa disso e clamaram ao céu.

21 Então, o Senhor enviou um anjo que destruiu todos os homens valentes, os chefes e os príncipes no arraial do rei da Assíria; e este, com o rosto coberto de vergonha, voltou para a sua terra. Tendo ele entrado na casa de seu deus, os seus próprios filhos ali o mataram à espada. 22 Assim, livrou o Senhor a Ezequias e os moradores de Jerusalém das mãos de Senaqueribe, rei da Assíria, e das mãos de todos os inimigos; e lhes deu paz por todos os lados. 23 Muitos traziam presentes a Jerusalém ao Senhor e coisas preciosíssimas a Ezequias, rei de Judá, de modo que, depois disto, foi enaltecido à vista de todas as nações.

24 Naqueles dias, adoeceu Ezequias mortalmente; então, orou ao Senhor, que lhe falou e lhe deu um sinal. 25 Mas não correspondeu Ezequias aos benefícios que lhe foram feitos; pois o seu coração se exaltou. Pelo que houve ira contra ele e contra Judá e Jerusalém. 26 Ezequias, porém, se humilhou por se ter exaltado o seu coração, ele e os habitantes de Jerusalém; e a ira do Senhor não veio contra eles nos dias de Ezequias.

27 Teve Ezequias riquezas e glória em grande abundância; proveu-se de tesourarias para prata, ouro, pedras preciosas, especiarias, escudos e toda sorte de objetos desejáveis; 28 também proveu-se de armazéns para a colheita do cereal, do vinho e do azeite; e de estrebarias para toda espécie de animais e de redis para os rebanhos. 29 Edificou também cidades e possuiu ovelhas e vacas em abundância; porque Deus lhe tinha dado mui numerosas possessões. 30 Também o mesmo Ezequias tapou o manancial superior das águas de Giom e as canalizou para o ocidente da Cidade de Davi. Ezequias prosperou em toda a sua obra. 31 Contudo, quando os embaixadores dos príncipes da Babilônia lhe foram enviados para se informarem do prodígio que se dera naquela terra, Deus o desamparou, para prová-lo e fazê-lo conhecer tudo o que lhe estava no coração.

32 Quanto aos mais atos de Ezequias e às suas obras de misericórdia, eis que estão escritos na Visão do Profeta Isaías, filho de Amoz, e no Livro da História dos Reis de Judá e de Israel. 33 Descansou Ezequias com seus pais, e o sepultaram na subida para os sepulcros dos filhos de Davi; e todo o Judá e os habitantes de Jerusalém lhe prestaram honras na sua morte; e Manassés, seu filho, reinou em seu lugar.

1 After these things, and this faithfulness, Sennacherib king of Assyria came, and entered into Judah, and encamped against the fortified cities, and thought to win them for himself. 2 And when Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib was come, and that he was purposed to fight against Jerusalem, 3 he took counsel with his princes and his mighty men to stop the waters of the fountains which were without the city; and they helped him. 4 So there was gathered much people together, and they stopped all the fountains, and the brook that flowed through the midst of the land, saying, Why should the kings of Assyria come, and find much water? 5 And he took courage, and built up all the wall that was broken down, and raised it up to the towers, and the other wall without, and strengthened Millo in the city of David, and made weapons and shields in abundance. 6 And he set captains of war over the people, and gathered them together to him in the broad place at the gate of the city, and spake comfortably to them, saying, 7 Be strong and of good courage, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him; for there is a greater with us than with him: 8 with him is an arm of flesh; but with us is Jehovah our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.

9 After this did Sennacherib king of Assyria send his servants to Jerusalem (now he was before Lachish, and all his power with him), unto Hezekiah king of Judah, and unto all Judah that were at Jerusalem, saying, 10 Thus saith Sennacherib king of Assyria, Whereon do ye trust, that ye abide the siege in Jerusalem? 11 Doth not Hezekiah persuade you, to give you over to die by famine and by thirst, saying, Jehovah our God will deliver us out of the hand of the king of Assyria? 12 Hath not the same Hezekiah taken away his high places and his altars, and commanded Judah and Jerusalem, saying, Ye shall worship before one altar, and upon it shall ye burn incense? 13 Know ye not what I and my fathers have done unto all the peoples of the lands? Were the gods of the nations of the lands in any wise able to deliver their land out of my hand? 14 Who was there among all the gods of those nations which my fathers utterly destroyed, that could deliver his people out of my hand, that your God should be able to deliver you out of my hand? 15 Now therefore let not Hezekiah deceive you, nor persuade you after this manner, neither believe ye him; for no god of any nation or kingdom was able to deliver his people out of my hand, and out of the hand of my fathers: how much less shall your God deliver you out of my hand? 16 And his servants spake yet more against Jehovah God, and against his servant Hezekiah. 17 He wrote also letters, to rail on Jehovah, the God of Israel, and to speak against him, saying, As the gods of the nations of the lands, which have not delivered their people out of my hand, so shall not the God of Hezekiah deliver his people out of my hand. 18 And they cried with a loud voice in the Jews’ language unto the people of Jerusalem that were on the wall, to affright them, and to trouble them; that they might take the city. 19 And they spake of the God of Jerusalem, as of the gods of the peoples of the earth, which are the work of men’s hands.

20 And Hezekiah the king, and Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz, prayed because of this, and cried to heaven. 21 And Jehovah sent an angel, who cut off all the mighty men of valor, and the leaders and captains, in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned with shame of face to his own land. And when he was come into the house of his god, they that came forth from his own bowels slew him there with the sword. 22 Thus Jehovah saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib the king of Assyria, and from the hand of all others, and guided them on every side. 23 And many brought gifts unto Jehovah to Jerusalem, and precious things to Hezekiah king of Judah; so that he was exalted in the sight of all nations from thenceforth.

24 In those days Hezekiah was sick even unto death: and he prayed unto Jehovah; and he spake unto him, and gave him a sign. 25 But Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit done unto him; for his heart was lifted up: therefore there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem. 26 Notwithstanding Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of Jehovah came not upon them in the days of Hezekiah.

27 And Hezekiah had exceeding much riches and honor: and he provided him treasuries for silver, and for gold, and for precious stones, and for spices, and for shields, and for all manner of goodly vessels; 28 store-houses also for the increase of grain and new wine and oil; and stalls for all manner of beasts, and flocks in folds. 29 Moreover he provided him cities, and possessions of flocks and herds in abundance; for God had given him very much substance. 30 This same Hezekiah also stopped the upper spring of the waters of Gihon, and brought them straight down on the west side of the city of David. And Hezekiah prospered in all his works. 31 Howbeit in the business of the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent unto him to inquire of the wonder that was done in the land, God left him, to try him, that he might know all that was in his heart.

32 Now the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and his good deeds, behold, they are written in the vision of Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz, in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel. 33 And Hezekiah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the ascent of the sepulchres of the sons of David: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem did him honor at his death. And Manasseh his son reigned in his stead.

1 After all that Hezekiah had so faithfully done, Sennacherib king of Assyria came and invaded Judah. He laid siege to the fortified cities, thinking to conquer them for himself.

2 When Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib had come and that he intended to make war on Jerusalem,

3 he consulted with his officials and military staff about blocking off the water from the springs outside the city, and they helped him.

4 A large force of men assembled, and they blocked all the springs and the stream that flowed through the land. "Why should the kings of Assyria come and find plenty of water?" they said.

5 Then he worked hard repairing all the broken sections of the wall and building towers on it. He built another wall outside that one and reinforced the supporting terraces of the City of David. He also made large numbers of weapons and shields.

6 He appointed military officers over the people and assembled them before him in the square at the city gate and encouraged them with these words:

7 "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him.

8 With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles." And the people gained confidence from what Hezekiah the king of Judah said.

9 Later, when Sennacherib king of Assyria and all his forces were laying siege to Lachish, he sent his officers to Jerusalem with this message for Hezekiah king of Judah and for all the people of Judah who were there:

10 "This is what Sennacherib king of Assyria says: On what are you basing your confidence, that you remain in Jerusalem under siege?

11 When Hezekiah says, 'The LORD our God will save us from the hand of the king of Assyria,' he is misleading you, to let you die of hunger and thirst.

12 Did not Hezekiah himself remove this god's high places and altars, saying to Judah and Jerusalem, 'You must worship before one altar and burn sacrifices on it'?

13 "Do you not know what I and my fathers have done to all the peoples of the other lands? Were the gods of those nations ever able to deliver their land from my hand?

14 Who of all the gods of these nations that my fathers destroyed has been able to save his people from me? How then can your god deliver you from my hand?

15 Now do not let Hezekiah deceive you and mislead you like this. Do not believe him, for no god of any nation or kingdom has been able to deliver his people from my hand or the hand of my fathers. How much less will your god deliver you from my hand!"

16 Sennacherib's officers spoke further against the LORD God and against his servant Hezekiah.

17 The king also wrote letters insulting the LORD, the God of Israel, and saying this against him: "Just as the gods of the peoples of the other lands did not rescue their people from my hand, so the god of Hezekiah will not rescue his people from my hand."

18 Then they called out in Hebrew to the people of Jerusalem who were on the wall, to terrify them and make them afraid in order to capture the city.

19 They spoke about the God of Jerusalem as they did about the gods of the other peoples of the world-the work of men's hands.

20 King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz cried out in prayer to heaven about this.

21 And the LORD sent an angel, who annihilated all the fighting men and the leaders and officers in the camp of the Assyrian king. So he withdrew to his own land in disgrace. And when he went into the temple of his god, some of his sons cut him down with the sword.

22 So the LORD saved Hezekiah and the people of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib king of Assyria and from the hand of all others. He took care of them on every side.

23 Many brought offerings to Jerusalem for the LORD and valuable gifts for Hezekiah king of Judah. From then on he was highly regarded by all the nations.

24 In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. He prayed to the LORD, who answered him and gave him a miraculous sign.

25 But Hezekiah's heart was proud and he did not respond to the kindness shown him; therefore the LORD's wrath was on him and on Judah and Jerusalem.

26 Then Hezekiah repented of the pride of his heart, as did the people of Jerusalem; therefore the LORD's wrath did not come upon them during the days of Hezekiah.

27 Hezekiah had very great riches and honor, and he made treasuries for his silver and gold and for his precious stones, spices, shields and all kinds of valuables.

28 He also made buildings to store the harvest of grain, new wine and oil; and he made stalls for various kinds of cattle, and pens for the flocks.

29 He built villages and acquired great numbers of flocks and herds, for God had given him very great riches.

30 It was Hezekiah who blocked the upper outlet of the Gihon spring and channeled the water down to the west side of the City of David. He succeeded in everything he undertook.

31 But when envoys were sent by the rulers of Babylon to ask him about the miraculous sign that had occurred in the land, God left him to test him and to know everything that was in his heart.

32 The other events of Hezekiah's reign and his acts of devotion are written in the vision of the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.

33 Hezekiah rested with his fathers and was buried on the hill where the tombs of David's descendants are. All Judah and the people of Jerusalem honored him when he died. And Manasseh his son succeeded him as king.