[37:8] The Assyrian official learned that the emperor had left Lachish and was fighting against the nearby city of Libnah; so he went there to consult him.
[37:9] Word reached the Assyrians that the Egyptian army, led by King Tirhakah of Ethiopia, was coming to attack them. When the emperor heard this, he sent a letter to King Hezekiah
[37:10] of Judah to tell him: “The god you are trusting in has told you that you will not fall into my hands, but don't let that deceive you.
[37:11] You have heard what an Assyrian emperor does to any country he decides to destroy. Do you think that you can escape?
[37:12] My ancestors destroyed the cities of Gozan, Haran, and Rezeph, and killed the people of Betheden who lived in Telassar, and none of their gods could save them.
[37:13] Where are the kings of the cities of Hamath, Arpad, Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivvah?”
[37:14] King Hezekiah took the letter from the messengers and read it. Then he went to the Temple, placed the letter there in the presence of the Lord,
[37:15] and prayed,
[37:16] “Almighty Lord, God of Israel, seated above the winged creatures, you alone are God, ruling all the kingdoms of the world. You created the earth and the sky.
[37:17] Now, Lord, hear us and look at what is happening to us. Listen to all the things that Sennacherib is saying to insult you, the living God.
[37:18] We all know, Lord, that the emperors of Assyria have destroyed many nations, made their lands desolate,
[37:19] and burned up their gods—which were no gods at all, only images of wood and stone made by human hands.
[37:20] Now, Lord our God, rescue us from the Assyrians, so that all the nations of the world will know that you alone are God.”