Isaiah 39

Hezekiah's Folly

1 At that time Merodach-baladan son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a gift to Hezekiah since he heard that he had been sick and had recovered.

2 Hezekiah was pleased with them, and showed them his treasure house-the silver, the gold, the spices, and the precious oil-and all his armory, and everything that was found in his treasuries. There was nothing in his palace and in all his realm that Hezekiah did not show them.

3 Then the prophet Isaiah came to King Hezekiah and asked him, "Where did these men come from and what did they say to you?"
Hezekiah replied, "They came to me from a distant country, from Babylon."

4 Isaiah asked, "What have they seen in your palace?"
Hezekiah answered, "They have seen everything in my palace. There isn't anything in my treasuries that I didn't show them."
5 Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, "Hear the word of the Lord of Hosts: 6 'The time will certainly come when everything in your palace and all that your fathers have stored up until this day will be carried off to Babylon; nothing will be left,' says the Lord.

7 'Some of your descendants who come from you will be taken away, and they will become eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.'"

8 Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, "The word of the Lord that you have spoken is good," for he thought: There will be peace and security during my lifetime.

Isaiah 39

Messengers from Babylon Visit Hezekiah

1 At that time Merodach-Baladan son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a gift to Hezekiah, for he heard that Hezekiah had been ill and had recovered.2 Hezekiah welcomedt them and showed them his storehouse with its silver, gold, spices, and high-quality olive oil, as well as his whole armory and everything in his treasuries. Hezekiah showed them everything in his palace and in his whole kingdom.t3 Isaiah the prophet visited King Hezekiah and asked him, “What did these men say? Where do they come from?” Hezekiah replied, “They come from the distant land of Babylon.”4 Isaiaht asked, “What have they seen in your palace?” Hezekiah replied, “They have seen everything in my palace. I showed them everything in my treasuries.”5 Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Listen to the word of the Lord who commands armies:6 ‘Look, a time is coming when everything in your palace and the things your ancestorst have accumulated to this day will be carried away to Babylon; nothing will be left,’ says the Lord.7 ‘Some of your very own descendants whom you fathert will be taken away and will be made eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.’”

8 Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The Lord’s word which you have announced is appropriate.”t Then he thought,t “Fort there will be peace and stability during my lifetime.”