1. At that time MerodachBaladan, son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a gift to Hezekiah after hearing that he was recovering from an illness.

2. Hezekiah was pleased and showed the envoys all that was in his treasure house, the silver, gold, spices and fine oil, his entire armory and all that was in his treasury. In fact there was nothing in his palace or in his kingdom that Hezekiah did not show them.

3. Isaiah the prophet came to Hezekiah and asked him, "What did these men say and from where did they come?" Hezekiah answered, "They came to me from a distant country - from Babylon."

4. And Isaiah said, "What have they seen in your palace?" Hezekiah replied, "They have seen everything in my palace; there is nothing among my treasures that I did not show them."

5. Isaiah then said, "Hear this word of Yahweh, the God of hosts:

6. Behold the days are coming when all that is in your palace, and which your fathers have treasured to this day, will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left.

7. And some of your descendants, born of you, will be taken and will become eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon."

8. Hezekiah then said to Isaiah, "The word of Yahweh which you have spoken to me is good!" For he thought: there will be peace and truth in my lifetime.





“Menosprezai vossas tentações e não vos demoreis nelas. Imaginai estar na presença de Jesus. O crucificado se lança em vossos braços e mora no vosso coração. Beijai-Lhe a chaga do lado, dizendo: ‘Aqui está minha esperança; a fonte viva da minha felicidade. Seguro-vos, ó Jesus, e não me aparto de vós, até que me tenhais posto a salvo’”. São Padre Pio de Pietrelcina