9. The writing of Hezekiah, the king of Judah, after he had fallen ill and had recovered from his sickness:
10. "I said: In the middle of my days, I will go to the gates of Hell. So I sought the remainder of my years.
11. I said: I will not see the Lord God in the land of the living. I will no longer behold man, nor the habitation of rest.
12. My longevity has been taken away; it has been folded up and taken from me, like the tent of a shepherd. My life has been cut off, as if by a weaver. While I was still beginning, he cut me off. From morning until evening, you have marked out my limits.
13. I hoped, even until morning. Like a lion, so has he crushed all my bones. From morning until evening, you have marked my limits.
14. I will cry out, like a young swallow. I will meditate, like a dove. My eyes have been weakened by gazing upward. O Lord, I suffer violence! Answer in my favor.
15. What can I say, or what would he answer me, since he himself has done this? I will acknowledge to you all my years, in the bitterness of my soul.
16. O Lord, if such is life, and if the life of my spirit is of such a kind, may you correct me and may you cause me to live.
17. Behold, in peace my bitterness is most bitter. But you have rescued my soul, so that it would not perish. You have cast all my sins behind your back.
18. For Hell will not confess to you, and death will not praise you. Those who descend into the pit will not hope for your truth.