14. I cried like a swift or thrush,I moaned like a mourning dove.My eyes grew weak as I looked to the heavens.I am being threatened; Lord, come to my aid!’
15. But what can I say?He has spoken to me, and he himself has done this.I will walk humbly all my yearsbecause of this anguish of my soul.
16. Lord, by such things people live;and my spirit finds life in them too.You restored me to healthand let me live.
17. Surely it was for my benefitthat I suffered such anguish.In your love you kept mefrom the pit of destruction;you have put all my sinsbehind your back.
18. For the grave cannot praise you,death cannot sing your praise;those who go down to the pitcannot hope for your faithfulness.
19. The living, the living – they praise you,as I am doing today;parents tell their childrenabout your faithfulness.
20. The Lord will save me,and we will sing with stringed instrumentsall the days of our livesin the temple of the Lord.
21. Isaiah had said, ‘Prepare a poultice of figs and apply it to the boil, and he will recover.’
22. Hezekiah had asked, ‘What will be the sign that I will go up to the temple of the Lord?’