A reading from the Book of Isaiah.

As soon as King Hezekiah heard it, he tore his clothes and covered himself with sackcloth

and went into the house of the Lord.

And he sent Eliakim, who was over the household, and Shebna the secretary, and the senior

priests covered with sackcloth to the prophet Isaiah

the son of Amaz. They said to him, thus says Hezekiah, this day is a day of distress,

of rebuke and of disgrace. Children have come to the point of birth, and there is no strength

to bring them forth. It may be that the Lord your God will hear

the words of the Rabshaka, whom his master the king of Assyria has sent to mock the living God

and will rebuke the words that the Lord your God has heard. Therefore, lift up your prayer for the

remnant that is left.

When the servants of King Hezekiah came to Isaiah, Isaiah said to them, say to your master,

Thus says the Lord, Do not be afraid because of the words that you have heard with which

the young men of the King of Assyria have reviled me.

Behold, I will put a spirit in him, so that he shall hear a rumor and return to his own land,

and I will make him fall by the sword in his own land.

The Rebshekha returned and found the king of Assyria fighting against Libna, for he had heard

that the king had left Lakish. Now the king heard concerning Terhaka, king of Kush, he has set out

to fight against you. And when he heard it, he sent messengers to Hezekiah, saying,

Thus shall you speak to Hezekiah King of

Judah. Do not let your God, in whom you trust, deceive you, by promising that Jerusalem

will not be given into the hand of the King of Assyria. Behold, you have heard what the kings

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