8. The field commander heard that the king of Assyria had left Lachish. So the commander left and found the king fighting against the city of Libnah.
9. The king received a report that Tirhakah was coming to attack him. Tirhakah was the Cushite king of Egypt. When the king of Assyria heard this, he sent messengers to Hezekiah. The king said:
10. “Say this to Hezekiah king of Judah: Don’t be fooled by the god you trust. Don’t believe him when he says Jerusalem will not be defeated by the king of Assyria.
11. You have heard what the kings of Assyria have done. They have completely defeated every country. Do not think you will be saved.
12. The gods of those people did not save them. My ancestors destroyed them. My ancestors defeated the cities of Gozan, Haran and Rezeph. They defeated the people of Eden living in Tel Assar.
13. Where are the kings of Hamath and Arpad? Where is the king of the city of Sepharvaim? Where are the kings of Hena and Ivvah?”
14. Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers and read it. Then he went up to the Temple of the Lord. Hezekiah spread the letter out before the Lord.
15. And he prayed to the Lord: “Lord, God of Israel, your throne is between the gold creatures with wings! Only you are God of all the kingdoms of the earth. You made the heavens and the earth.
16. Hear, Lord, and listen. Open your eyes, Lord, and see. Listen to the word Sennacherib has said to insult the living God.
17. It is true, Lord. The kings of Assyria have destroyed these countries and their lands.
18. These kings have thrown the gods of these nations into the fire. But they were only wood and rock statues that men made. So the kings have destroyed them.
19. Now, Lord our God, save us from the king’s power. Then all the kingdoms of the earth will know that you, Lord, are the only God.”
20. Then Isaiah son of Amoz sent a message to Hezekiah. Isaiah said, “The Lord, the God of Israel, says this: I have heard your prayer to me about Sennacherib king of Assyria.
21. So this is what the Lord has said against Sennacherib:‘The people of Jerusalemhate you and make fun of you.The people of Jerusalemlaugh at you as you run away.
22. You have insulted me and spoken against me.You have raised your voice against me.You have a proud look on your face.You disobey me, the Holy One of Israel!
23. You have used your messengers to insult the Lord.You have said, “I have many chariots.With them I have gone to the tops of the mountains.I have climbed the highest mountains of Lebanon.I have cut down its tallest cedars.I have cut down its best pine trees.I have reached its farthest places.I have gone to its best forests.
24. I have dug wells in foreign countries.I have drunk water there.By the soles of my feet,I have dried up all the rivers of Egypt.”
25. “‘King of Assyria, surely you have heard.Long ago I, the Lord, planned these things.Long ago I planned them.Now I have made them happen.I allowed you to turn those strong, walled citiesinto piles of rocks.