Isaiah Chapter 39
Showing all 8 verses for Isaiah Chapter 39.
The People's Bible is written by people, for the people. Each verse below shows:
"At that time Merodachbaladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah: for he had heard that he had been sick, and was recovered. "
"At that time, Merodach-baladan son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a gift to Hezekiah, because he had heard that Hezekiah had been sick and had recovered."
Not every friendly gesture is free of hidden motives - it's wise to stay alert and thoughtful even when someone appears to be simply celebrating good news with you. Kindness with your guard fully down isn't the same as wisdom.
"And Hezekiah was glad of them, and shewed them the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the precious ointment, and all the house of his armour, and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah shewed them not. "
"Hezekiah was pleased with them and showed them everything in his treasure house - the silver, the gold, the spices, the fine oil, his entire armoury, and everything found in his storehouses. There was nothing in his palace or his whole kingdom that Hezekiah did not show them."
Watch out for the moment right after you've overcome something hard, when pride can quietly creep back in and undo the humility you just learned. Success and relief are often more dangerous to your character than the struggle itself was.
"Then came Isaiah the prophet unto king Hezekiah, and said unto him, What said these men? and from whence came they unto thee? And Hezekiah said, They are come from a far country unto me, even from Babylon. "
"Then the prophet Isaiah came to King Hezekiah and asked, 'What did these men say, and where did they come from?' Hezekiah answered, 'They came to me from a far country - from Babylon.'"
Sometimes the people who care about you most will ask pointed questions to help you actually see what you've just done, rather than simply moving on. Don't be defensive when someone loving holds up a mirror to your choices.
"Then said he, What have they seen in thine house? And Hezekiah answered, All that is in mine house have they seen: there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shewed them. "
"Then Isaiah asked, 'What have they seen in your palace?' Hezekiah replied, 'They have seen everything in my house - there is nothing among my treasures I did not show them.'"
Sometimes just describing honestly what you did is enough to show you where you went wrong - you don't need someone else to lecture you; your own plain account of your choices can be the clearest mirror.
"Then said Isaiah to Hezekiah, Hear the word of the LORD of hosts: "
"Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, 'Listen to the word of the LORD of Heaven's Armies.'"
When something important needs to be said to you, it deserves your full attention - don't brush off a serious warning just because the moment before felt fine. Take real correction seriously when it comes.
"Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store until this day, shall be carried to Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the LORD. "
"'Listen - the days are coming when everything in your palace, and everything your ancestors have stored up until now, will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left, says the LORD.'"
Actions taken carelessly today can plant seeds for consequences you won't see for years, sometimes generations. That's not meant to frighten you into paralysis, but to encourage genuine thoughtfulness about what you're building and showing the world now.
"And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon. "
"'And some of your own descendants, your own offspring, will be taken away, and they will become eunuchs serving in the palace of the king of Babylon.'"
What you do doesn't only affect you - it can shape the lives of people who come after you, the people you love most. Let that be a reason to choose humility and care now, not out of fear, but out of real love for those who'll inherit what you leave behind.
"Then said Hezekiah to Isaiah, Good is the word of the LORD which thou hast spoken. He said moreover, For there shall be peace and truth in my days. "
"Hezekiah replied to Isaiah, 'The word of the LORD you have spoken is good.' For he thought, 'At least there will be peace and security in my own lifetime.'"
Be careful not to accept bad news too easily just because it happens to spare you personally - real love and integrity mean caring about consequences that will land on others, even people not yet born, not just about your own comfort today.