1. When King Hezekiah heard this, he ripped his clothes, covered himself with mourning clothes, and went to the Lord’s temple.
2. He sent Eliakim the palace administrator, Shebna the secretary, and the senior priests to the prophet Isaiah, Amoz’s son. They were all wearing mourning clothes.
3. They said to him, "Hezekiah says this: Today is a day of distress, punishment, and humiliation. It’s as if children are ready to be born, but there’s no strength to see it through.
4. Perhaps the Lord your God heard all the words of the field commander who was sent by his master, Assyria’s king. He insulted the living God! Perhaps he will punish him for the words that the Lord your God has heard. Offer up a prayer for those few people who still survive."
5. When King Hezekiah’s servants got to Isaiah,
6. Isaiah said to them, "Say this to your master: The Lord says this: Don’t be afraid at the words you heard, which the officers of Assyria’s king have used to insult me.
7. I’m about to mislead him, so when he hears a rumor, he’ll go back to his own country. Then I’ll have him cut down by the sword in his own land."
8. The field commander heard that the Assyrian king had left Lachish. So he went back to the king and found him attacking Libnah.
9. Then the Assyrian king learned that Cush’s King Tirhakah was on his way to fight against him. So he sent messengers to Hezekiah again:
10. "Say this to Judah’s King Hezekiah: Don’t let the God you trust deceive you by saying, ‘Jerusalem won’t fall to the Assyrian king.’
11. You yourself have heard what Assyrian kings do to other countries, wiping them out. Is it likely that you will be saved?