24
I've dug wells in faraway places and drunk their exotic waters; I've waded and splashed barefoot in the rivers of Egypt."
25
Did it never occur to you that I'm behind all this? Long, long ago I drew up the plans, and now I've gone into action, Using you as a doomsday weapon, reducing proud cities to piles of rubble,
26
Leaving their people dispirited, slumped shoulders, limp souls. Useless as weeds, fragile as grass, insubstantial as wind-blown chaff.
27
I know when you sit down, when you come and when you go; And, yes, I've marked every one of your temper tantrums against me.
28
It's because of your temper, your blasphemous foul temper, That I'm putting my hook in your nose and my bit in your mouth And turning you back to where you came from.
29
And this, Hezekiah, will be for you the confirming sign: This year you'll eat the gleanings, next year whatever you can beg, borrow, or steal; But the third year you'll sow and harvest, plant vineyards and eat grapes.
30
A remnant of the family of Judah yet again will sink down roots and raise up fruit.
31
The remnant will come from Jerusalem, the survivors from Mount Zion. The Zeal of God will make it happen.
32
To sum up, this is what God says regarding the king of Assyria: He won't enter this city, nor shoot so much as a single arrow there; Won't brandish a shield, won't even begin to set siege;
33
He'll go home by the same road he came; he won't enter this city. God's word!
34
I'll shield this city, I'll save this city, for my sake and for David's sake.