At that timeMerodach-baladansonof Baladan,kingof Babylon,sentlettersand a presentto Hezekiah,for he heardthat he had beensickand had recovered.
Behold,the landof the Chaldeans--thisis the people[which] was not; Assyriaappointedit for desertcreatures--they erectedtheir siegetowers,they strippedits palaces,they madeit a ruin.
that you will takeup thistauntagainstthe kingof Babylon,and say,"Howthe oppressorhas ceased,[And how] furyhas ceased!
And Babylon,the beautyof kingdoms,the gloryof the Chaldeans'pride,Will be as when GodoverthrewSodomand Gomorrah.
The oracleconcerning BabylonwhichIsaiahthe sonof Amozsaw.
Even[in the matter of] the envoysof the rulersof Babylon,who sentto him to inquireof the wonderthat had happenedin the land,Godlefthim [alone only] to testhim, that He might knowallthat was in his heart.
And manywere bringinggiftsto the LORDat Jerusalemand choicepresentsto Hezekiahkingof Judah,so that he was exaltedin the sightof allnationsthereafter.
Then Davidsaid,"I will showkindnessto Hanunthe sonof Nahash,justas his fathershowedkindnessto me." So Davidsentsomeof his servantsto consolehim concerninghis father.But when David'sservantscameto the landof the Ammonites,
ToisentJoramhis sonto KingDavidto greethim and blesshim, becausehe had foughtagainst Hadadezerand defeatedhim; for Hadadezerhad beenat warwith Toi.And [Joram] brought with him articlesof silver,of goldand of bronze.
But Hezekiahgavenoreturnfor the benefithe received,becausehis heartwas proud;therefore wrathcameon him and on Judahand Jerusalem.
