യെശയ്യാവ് 37
1 ഹിസ്കിയാരാജാവ് ഇതു കേട്ടപ്പോൾ വസ്ത്രംകീറി, ചാക്കുശീലയുടുത്ത് യഹോവയുടെ ആലയത്തിലേക്കു ചെന്നു.
౧ఆ మాటలు విని హిజ్కియా తన బట్టలు చింపుకుని, గోనెపట్ట కట్టుకుని యెహోవా మందిరానికి వెళ్ళాడు.
2 അദ്ദേഹം കൊട്ടാരം ഭരണാധിപനായ എല്യാക്കീമിനെയും ലേഖകനായ ശെബ്നയെയും പുരോഹിതന്മാരിൽ പ്രധാനികളെയും ചാക്കുശീല ധരിച്ചവരായി ആമോസിന്റെ മകനായ യെശയ്യാപ്രവാചകന്റെ അടുക്കൽ അയച്ചു.
౨రాజ గృహ నిర్వాహకుడు ఎల్యాకీమును, శాస్త్రి షెబ్నాను, యాజకుల్లో పెద్దలను ఆమోజు కొడుకు, ప్రవక్త అయిన యెషయా దగ్గరికి పంపించాడు.
3 അവർ അദ്ദേഹത്തോടു പറഞ്ഞു: “ഹിസ്കിയാവ് ഇപ്രകാരം പറയുന്നു: ‘കുഞ്ഞ് ജനിക്കാറായിരിക്കുന്നു, എന്നാൽ അതിനെ പ്രസവിക്കുന്നതിനുള്ള ശക്തി അമ്മയ്ക്കില്ല’ അതുപോലെ ഈ ദിനം കഷ്ടതയുടെയും അധിക്ഷേപത്തിന്റെയും അപമാനത്തിന്റെയും ദിനമായിത്തീർന്നിരിക്കുന്നു.
౩వారంతా గోనెపట్ట కట్టుకుని అతని దగ్గరికి వచ్చి అతనితో “హిజ్కియా ఇలా చెప్పమన్నాడు, ‘ఈ రోజు బాధ, శిక్ష, నిందల రోజు. పిల్లలు పుట్టడానికి సమయం వచ్చిందిగాని కనడానికి తల్లికి శక్తి లేదు.
4 ജീവനുള്ള ദൈവത്തെ അവഹേളിക്കുന്നതിനായി അശ്ശൂർരാജാവ് അയച്ച യുദ്ധക്കളത്തിലെ അധിപൻ പറഞ്ഞവാക്കുകൾ അങ്ങയുടെ ദൈവമായ യഹോവ ഒരുപക്ഷേ കേൾക്കും; ആ വാക്കുകൾമൂലം അങ്ങയുടെ ദൈവമായ യഹോവ അയാളെ ശിക്ഷിക്കും. അതിനാൽ ഇസ്രായേലിൽ ഇന്നുള്ള ശേഷിപ്പിനുവേണ്ടി അങ്ങു പ്രാർഥിക്കണേ!”
౪సజీవుడైన దేవుణ్ణి దూషించడానికి తన యజమాని అష్షూరు రాజు పంపిన రబ్షాకే పలికిన మాటలు నీ దేవుడు యెహోవా ఒకవేళ విని, ఆ మాటలను బట్టి ఆయన అష్షూరు రాజును గద్దిస్తాడేమో. కాబట్టి ఇప్పటికి బతికి ఉన్న మన కొద్దిమంది కోసం నువ్వు ఎక్కువగా ప్రార్థన చెయ్యి.’”
5 ഹിസ്കിയാരാജാവിന്റെ ഉദ്യോഗസ്ഥന്മാർ യെശയ്യാവിന്റെ അടുക്കൽ വന്നപ്പോൾ
౫హిజ్కియా రాజు సేవకులు యెషయా దగ్గరికి వచ్చారు.
6 അദ്ദേഹം അവരോടു പറഞ്ഞു: “നിങ്ങളുടെ യജമാനനോടു പറയുക: യഹോവ ഇപ്രകാരം അരുളിച്ചെയ്യുന്നു: ‘നീ കേട്ട വാക്കുകൾമൂലം ഭയപ്പെടേണ്ട, ആ വാക്കുകൾമൂലം, അശ്ശൂർരാജാവിന്റെ ദാസന്മാർ എന്നെ നിന്ദിച്ചിരിക്കുന്നു.
౬యెషయా వారితో ఇలా అన్నాడు. “మీ యజమానికి ఈ మాట చెప్పండి, యెహోవా ఏమి చెబుతున్నాడంటే, అష్షూరు రాజు సేవకులు నన్ను దూషిస్తూ పలికిన మాటలకు భయపడవద్దు.
7 ശ്രദ്ധിക്കുക! ഞാൻ അവന്റെമേൽ ഒരു ആത്മാവിനെ അയയ്ക്കും; അതുമൂലം അവൻ ഒരു പ്രത്യേക വാർത്തകേട്ട് സ്വന്തം ദേശത്തേക്കു മടങ്ങും. അവിടെവെച്ച് ഞാൻ അവനെ വാളിനിരയാക്കും.’”
౭అతనిలో నేను ఒక ఆత్మను పుట్టిస్తాను. అతడు ఒక పుకారు విని తన దేశానికి తిరిగి వెళ్ళిపోతాడు. అతని దేశంలోనే కత్తివాత హతం అవుతాడు.”
8 അശ്ശൂർരാജാവ് ലാഖീശിൽനിന്ന് പിൻവാങ്ങി എന്നു കേട്ടപ്പോൾ അദ്ദേഹത്തിന്റെ യുദ്ധക്കളത്തിലെ അധിപനും ജെറുശലേമിൽനിന്ന് പിൻവാങ്ങി. അദ്ദേഹം മടങ്ങിച്ചെല്ലുമ്പോൾ രാജാവ് ലിബ്നായ്ക്കെതിരേ യുദ്ധംചെയ്യുന്നതായി കണ്ടു.
౮అష్షూరు రాజు లాకీషు పట్టణం విడిచి వెళ్లి లిబ్నా మీద యుద్ధం చేస్తున్నాడని తెలిసి రబ్షాకే తిరిగి వెళ్ళి అతనితో కలిశాడు.
9 കൂശ് രാജാവായ തിർഹാക്കാ തന്നോടു യുദ്ധംചെയ്യുന്നതിനായി വരുന്നുണ്ട് എന്ന വാർത്ത സൻഹേരീബിനു ലഭിച്ചിരുന്നു. അദ്ദേഹം ഈ വാർത്ത കേട്ടപ്പോൾ തന്റെ സന്ദേശവുമായി ഹിസ്കിയാവിന്റെ അടുക്കൽ ദൂതന്മാരെ അയച്ചു. അദ്ദേഹത്തിന്റെ സന്ദേശം ഇപ്രകാരമായിരുന്നു:
౯కూషు రాజు తిర్హాకా తనపై యుద్ధం చేయడానికి వచ్చాడని అష్షూరురాజు సన్హెరీబు విన్నాడు. అప్పుడు అతడు తన దూతలతో హిజ్కియాకు ఒక సందేశం పంపాడు.
10 “യെഹൂദാരാജാവായ ഹിസ്കിയാവിനോടു പറയുക: ‘ജെറുശലേം അശ്ശൂർരാജാവിന്റെ കൈയിൽ ഏൽപ്പിക്കപ്പെടുകയില്ല എന്നു പറഞ്ഞ്,’ നീ ആശ്രയിക്കുന്ന നിന്റെ ദൈവം നിന്നെ വഞ്ചിക്കരുത്;
౧౦“యూదా రాజు హిజ్కియాతో ఇలా చెప్పండి, ‘నీ దేవుని చేతిలో మోసపోయి అష్షూరు రాజు యెరూషలేమును ఆక్రమించలేడని అనుకోవద్దు.
11 അശ്ശൂർരാജാക്കന്മാർ സകലരാജ്യങ്ങളെയും ഉന്മൂലനംചെയ്ത് അവയോടു ചെയ്തിരിക്കുന്നതെന്താണെന്ന് നീ തീർച്ചയായും കേട്ടിരിക്കും. ആ നിലയ്ക്ക് നീ വിടുവിക്കപ്പെടുമോ?
౧౧అష్షూరు రాజులు సకల దేశాలనూ పూర్తిగా నాశనం చేసిన సంగతి నువ్వు విన్నావు కదా, నీవు మాత్రం తప్పించుకోగలవా?
12 എന്റെ പൂർവികർ നശിപ്പിച്ചിട്ടുള്ള രാഷ്ട്രങ്ങളെ അവരുടെ ദേവന്മാർ വിടുവിച്ചിട്ടുണ്ടോ? ഗോസാൻ, ഹാരാൻ, രേസെഫ്, തെലസ്സാരിലെ എദേന്യർ എന്നിവരിൽ ആരുടെയെങ്കിലും ദേവന്മാർക്ക് അതു കഴിഞ്ഞിട്ടുണ്ടോ?
౧౨నా పూర్వికులు నిర్మూలం చేసిన గోజాను, హారాను, రెజెపు, తెలశ్శారులో ఉండే ఏదెనీయులు, వీరిలో ఎవరైనా తమ దేవుళ్ళ సహాయంతో తప్పించుకున్నారా?
13 ഹമാത്തുരാജാവും അർപ്പാദുരാജാവും എവിടെ? ലായീർ സെഫർവയിം, ഹേന, ഇവ്വ എന്നിവിടങ്ങളിലെ രാജാക്കന്മാരും എവിടെ?”
౧౩హమాతు, అర్పాదు, సెపర్వయీము, హేన, ఇవ్వా అనే పట్టణాల రాజులు ఏమయ్యారు?’”
14 ഹിസ്കിയാവ് സന്ദേശവാഹകരുടെ കൈയിൽനിന്ന് എഴുത്തുവാങ്ങി വായിച്ചു. പിന്നെ അദ്ദേഹം യഹോവയുടെ ആലയത്തിൽ ചെന്ന് യഹോവയുടെ സന്നിധിയിൽവെച്ച് അതു നിവർത്തി.
౧౪హిజ్కియా ఆ ఉత్తరం తీసుకుని, చదివి, యెహోవా మందిరంలోకి వెళ్లి ఆయన సన్నిధిలో దాన్ని ఉంచాడు.
15 അതിനുശേഷം ഹിസ്കിയാവ് യഹോവയോടു പ്രാർഥിച്ചു:
౧౫తరువాత ఈ విధంగా ప్రార్థన చేశాడు,
16 “ഇസ്രായേലിന്റെ ദൈവമായ സൈന്യങ്ങളുടെ യഹോവേ! കെരൂബുകളുടെ മധ്യേ സിംഹാസനസ്ഥനായുള്ളോവേ! ഭൂതലത്തിലെ സകലരാജ്യങ്ങൾക്കും മേലേ അവിടന്നുമാത്രം ദൈവമാകുന്നു. അവിടന്നു ഭൂമിയെയും ആകാശത്തെയും സൃഷ്ടിച്ചു.
౧౬“యెహోవా, కెరూబుల మధ్య నివసించే ఇశ్రాయేలీయుల దేవా, భూమ్యాకాశాలను సృష్టించిన అద్వితీయ దేవా, నీవు ఈ లోక రాజ్యాలన్నిటిపై దేవుడివి.
17 യഹോവേ, ചെവിചായ്ച്ചു കേൾക്കണേ! യഹോവേ, തൃക്കൺ തുറന്നു കാണണമേ! ജീവനുള്ള ദൈവത്തെ അധിക്ഷേപിച്ച് സൻഹേരീബ് പറഞ്ഞയച്ച വാക്കുകളെല്ലാം ശ്രദ്ധിക്കണേ!
౧౭సేనల ప్రభువైన యెహోవా, నీ కళ్ళు తెరచి చూసి నా మాటలు ఆలకించు. జీవం గల దేవుడవైన నిన్ను దూషిస్తూ సన్హెరీబు రాసిన మాటలు విను.
18 “യഹോവേ, അശ്ശൂർരാജാക്കന്മാർ ഈ ജനതകളെയും അവരുടെ ഭൂപ്രദേശങ്ങളെയും ശൂന്യമാക്കിക്കളഞ്ഞു എന്നതു നേരുതന്നെ.
౧౮యెహోవా, అష్షూరు రాజులు వివిధ జాతుల ప్రజలనూ వారి దేశాలనూ నాశనం చేసి వారి దేవుళ్ళను అగ్నిలో వేసింది నిజమే.
19 അവരുടെ ദേവന്മാരെ അവർ തീയിലിട്ടു നശിപ്പിച്ചു. അവ ദേവന്മാരായിരുന്നില്ല; മനുഷ്യകരങ്ങൾ രൂപംകൊടുത്ത കല്ലും മരവുംമാത്രം ആയിരുന്നു.
౧౯ఆ రాజ్యాల దేవుళ్ళు నిజమైనవారు కారు. చెక్కతో రాళ్ళతో మనుషులు చేసిన వారు కనుక అష్షూరు రాజులు వారిని నిర్మూలం చేశారు.
20 ഞങ്ങളുടെ ദൈവമായ യഹോവേ, അവിടന്നുമാത്രം ദൈവമാകുന്നു എന്ന് ഭൂതലത്തിലെ സകലരാജ്യങ്ങളും അറിയാൻ തക്കവണ്ണം ഇപ്പോൾ അദ്ദേഹത്തിന്റെ കൈയിൽനിന്നു ഞങ്ങളെ വിടുവിക്കണേ!”
౨౦యెహోవా, ఈ లోకంలో నీవే, నిజంగా నీవే అద్వితీయ దేవుడవైన యెహోవా అని మనుషులంతా గ్రహించేలా అతని చేతిలో నుండి మమ్మల్ని రక్షించు.”
21 അതിനുശേഷം ആമോസിന്റെ മകനായ യെശയ്യാവ് ഹിസ്കിയാവിന് ഒരു സന്ദേശം കൊടുത്തയച്ചു: “ഇസ്രായേലിന്റെ ദൈവമായ യഹോവ ഇപ്രകാരം അരുളിച്ചെയ്യുന്നു: അശ്ശൂർരാജാവായ സൻഹേരീബിനെക്കുറിച്ച് നീ എന്നോടു പ്രാർഥിച്ചിരിക്കുകയാൽ,
౨౧అప్పుడు ఆమోజు కొడుకు యెషయా హిజ్కియా దగ్గరికి ఈ సందేశం పంపాడు. “ఇశ్రాయేలీయుల దేవుడైన యెహోవా చెప్పేదేమిటంటే”, అష్షూరు రాజు సన్హెరీబు విషయం నీవు నా ఎదుట ప్రార్థన చేశావు కదా,
22 അദ്ദേഹത്തിനെതിരേ യഹോവ അരുളിച്ചെയ്ത വാക്കുകൾ ഇവയാണ്: “സീയോന്റെ കന്യാപുത്രി, നിന്നെ നിന്ദിക്കുന്നു, നിന്നെ പരിഹസിക്കുന്നു. നീ പലായനം ചെയ്യുമ്പോൾ ജെറുശലേംപുത്രി തലയാട്ടിരസിക്കുന്നു.
౨౨అతని గూర్చి యెహోవా సెలవిచ్చే మాట ఇదే, “కన్య అయిన సీయోను ఆడపడుచు నిన్ను తిరస్కరించి, అపహసిస్తున్నది, యెరూషలేము కుమారి నిన్ను చూసి తల ఊపుతూ ఉంది.
23 ആരെയാണു നീ പരിഹസിക്കുകയും ദുഷിക്കുകയും ചെയ്തത്? ആർക്കെതിരേയാണു നീ ശബ്ദമുയർത്തിയത്? നീ അഹന്തയോടെ കണ്ണുയർത്തിയത്? ഇസ്രായേലിന്റെ പരിശുദ്ധനെതിരേതന്നെ!
౨౩నువ్వు ఎవరిని తిరస్కరించావు? ఎవరిని దూషించావు? గర్వంతో ఎవరిని భయపెట్టాలని చూశావు? పరిశుద్ధుడైన ఇశ్రాయేలీయుల దేవుణ్ణి కదా?
24 നിന്റെ ദൂതന്മാർ മുഖാന്തരം നീ യഹോവയെ പരിഹസിച്ചിരിക്കുന്നു. ‘എന്റെ അസംഖ്യം രഥങ്ങൾകൊണ്ട് ഞാൻ പർവതങ്ങളുടെ ശിഖരങ്ങളിൽക്കയറി, ലെബാനോന്റെ പരമോന്നത ശിഖരങ്ങളിൽനിന്ന് അതിലെ ഏറ്റവും പൊക്കമുള്ള ദേവദാരുക്കളും അതിലെ അതിവിശിഷ്ടമായ സരളവൃക്ഷങ്ങളും ഞാൻ വെട്ടിവീഴ്ത്തി. അതിന്റെ ഏറ്റവും ഉന്നതമായ സ്ഥലങ്ങളിലെ നിബിഡ വനാന്തരങ്ങളിലും ഞാൻ കടന്നുചെന്നു.
౨౪నీ దూతల ద్వారా యెహోవాను తిరస్కరించి నువ్వు ఇలా పలికావు, ‘నా గొప్ప రథాల గుంపుతో నేను పర్వత శిఖరాల మీదకీ ఉన్నతమైన లెబానోను స్థలాల పైకీ ఎక్కాను. ఎత్తయిన దాని దేవదారు చెట్లూ శ్రేష్ఠమైన సరళ చెట్లూ నరికేశాను. వాటికి బహు దూరంలో సరిహద్దుల్లో ఉన్న సత్రాల్లోకి, ఫలవంతమైన అడవిలోకి ప్రవేశించాను.
25 അന്യദേശത്തു ഞാൻ കിണറുകൾ കുഴിച്ച് അതിലെ വെള്ളം കുടിച്ചു. എന്റെ പാദതലങ്ങൾകൊണ്ട് ഈജിപ്റ്റിലെ സകലനീരുറവകളും ഞാൻ വറ്റിച്ചുകളഞ്ഞു,’ എന്നു നീ പറഞ്ഞു.
౨౫నేను బావులు తవ్వి అక్కడి నీళ్లు తాగాను. నా అరకాలి కింద ఐగుప్తు నదులన్నిటిని ఎండిపోయేలా చేశాను.’
26 “വളരെ മുമ്പുതന്നെ ഞാനിതിന് ഉത്തരവിട്ടതാണ്; പഴയകാലത്തുതന്നെ ഞാനിത് ആസൂത്രണം ചെയ്തതാണ് എന്നു നീ കേട്ടിട്ടില്ലേ? കോട്ടകെട്ടി ബലപ്പെടുത്തിയ വൻനഗരങ്ങൾ നീ വെറും കൽക്കൂമ്പാരങ്ങളാക്കാൻ ഞാൻ ഇപ്പോൾ ഇടവരുത്തിയിരിക്കുന്നു.
౨౬అయితే దీన్ని నేనే ఎప్పుడో నిర్ణయించాననీ, పూర్వకాలంలోనే దీన్ని ఏర్పాటు చేశాననీ నీకు వినబడలేదా? నువ్వు ప్రాకారాలు గల పట్టణాలను పాడుదిబ్బలుగా చేయడం నా వల్లనే జరిగింది.
27 അതിലെ നിവാസികൾ ദുർബലരും ഭീതിപൂണ്ട് ലജ്ജിതരുമായിത്തീർന്നിരിക്കുന്നു. അവർ വയലിലെ പുല്ലും ഇളംപുൽനാമ്പും പുരപ്പുറത്തെ പുല്ലുംപോലെ വളരുംമുമ്പേ കരിഞ്ഞുപോയിരിക്കുന്നു.
౨౭అందుకే వాటి ప్రజలు బలహీనులై చెదరిపోయారు. భయంతో పొలంలోని గడ్డిలాగా, బలం లేని కాడల్లాగా మారారు.
28 “എന്നാൽ നീ എവിടെ അധിവസിക്കുന്നെന്നും നിന്റെ പോക്കും വരവും എപ്പോഴൊക്കെയെന്നും എന്റെനേരേയുള്ള നിന്റെ കോപഗർജനവും ഞാൻ അറിയുന്നു.
౨౮నువ్వు కూర్చోవడం, బయటికి వెళ్ళడం, లోపలి రావడం, నా మీద రంకెలు వేయడం నాకు తెలుసు.
29 നീ എന്റെനേരേ ഉഗ്രകോപം കാട്ടിയിരിക്കയാലും നിന്റെ ഗർവം എന്റെ ചെവിയിൽ എത്തിയിരിക്കയാലും, ഞാൻ എന്റെ കൊളുത്ത് നിന്റെ മൂക്കിലും എന്റെ കടിഞ്ഞാൺ നിന്റെ വായിലും ഇട്ട് നീ വന്നവഴിയേതന്നെ ഞാൻ നിന്നെ മടക്കിക്കൊണ്ടുപോകും.
౨౯నా మీద నువ్వు వేసే రంకెలు, నీవు చూపిన అహంకారం నా దాకా వచ్చాయి. కాబట్టి నీ ముక్కుకి నా గాలం తగిలిస్తాను. నా కళ్ళెం నీ నోటిలో పెట్టి నిన్ను మళ్లిస్తాను. నీవు వచ్చిన దారిలోనే నిన్ను తిప్పి పంపుతాను.”
30 “ഹിസ്കിയാവേ, ഇത് നിനക്കുള്ള ചിഹ്നമായിരിക്കും: “ഈ വർഷം വയലിൽ തനിയേ മുളയ്ക്കുന്നതു നിങ്ങൾ ഭക്ഷിക്കും, രണ്ടാംവർഷവും അതിൽനിന്നു പൊട്ടിമുളച്ചു വിളയുന്നതു നിങ്ങൾ ഭക്ഷിക്കും. എന്നാൽ മൂന്നാംവർഷമാകട്ടെ, നിങ്ങൾ വിതയ്ക്കുകയും കൊയ്യുകയും മുന്തിരിത്തോപ്പ് നട്ട് അതിന്റെ ഫലം അനുഭവിക്കുകയും ചെയ്യും.
౩౦యెషయా ఇంకా ఇలా చెప్పాడు. “హిజ్కియా, నీకిదే సూచన. ఈ సంవత్సరం దానంతట అదే పండే ధాన్యాన్నీ, రెండో సంవత్సరంలో దాని నుండి కలిగే ధాన్యాన్నీ మీరు తింటారు. మూడో సంవత్సరంలో మీరు విత్తనం చల్లి పంట కోస్తారు. ద్రాక్షతోటలు నాటి వాటిఫలం అనుభవిస్తారు.
31 ഒരിക്കൽക്കൂടി യെഹൂദാഗോത്രത്തിന്റെ ഒരു ശേഷിപ്പ് താഴേ വേരൂന്നി മീതേ ഫലം കായ്ക്കും.
౩౧యూదా వంశంలో తప్పించుకొన్న శేషం బాగా వేరుతన్ని ఎదిగి ఫలిస్తారు.
32 ജെറുശലേമിൽനിന്ന് ഒരു ശേഷിപ്പും സീയോൻപർവതത്തിൽനിന്ന് ഒരു രക്ഷിതഗണവും പുറപ്പെട്ടുവരും. സർവശക്തനായ യഹോവയുടെ തീക്ഷ്ണത അതു നിർവഹിക്കും.
౩౨మిగిలినవారు యెరూషలేములో నుండి, తప్పించుకొన్న వారు సీయోను కొండలో నుండి బయలుదేరతారు. సైన్యాల అధిపతి యెహోవా ఆసక్తి దీన్ని నెరవేరుస్తుంది.
33 “അതിനാൽ, അശ്ശൂർരാജാവിനെക്കുറിച്ച് യഹോവ ഇപ്രകാരം അരുളിച്ചെയ്യുന്നു: “അയാൾ ഈ നഗരത്തിൽ പ്രവേശിക്കുകയില്ല; ഇവിടേക്ക് ഒരു അസ്ത്രംപോലും തൊടുക്കുകയില്ല. അയാൾ പരിചയുമായി ഇതിന്റെ മുമ്പിൽ വരികയോ ഇതിനെതിരേ സൈന്യത്തെക്കൊണ്ട് ഉപരോധത്തിന്റെ ചരിഞ്ഞ പാത തീർക്കുകയോ ചെയ്യുകയില്ല.
౩౩కాబట్టి అష్షూరు రాజు గూర్చి యెహోవా చెప్పేది ఏమంటే, ‘అతడు ఈ పట్టణంలోకి రాడు. దాని మీద ఒక బాణం కూడా విసరడు. ఒక్క డాలైనా ఆడించడు, దాని ఎదుట ముట్టడి దిబ్బ కట్టడు.
34 അയാൾ വന്നവഴിയായിത്തന്നെ മടങ്ങിപ്പോകും, അയാൾ ഈ നഗരത്തിൽ പ്രവേശിക്കുകയില്ല,” എന്ന് യഹോവ അരുളിച്ചെയ്യുന്നു.
౩౪ఈ పట్టణం లోపలికి రాకుండా తాను వచ్చిన దారిలోనే అతడు తిరిగి పోతాడు.’ ఇదే యెహోవా వాక్కు.
35 “എനിക്കുവേണ്ടിയും എന്റെ ദാസനായ ദാവീദിനുവേണ്ടിയും ഞാൻ ഈ നഗരത്തെ പ്രതിരോധിച്ച് ഇതിനെ രക്ഷിക്കും!”
౩౫నా నిమిత్తమూ నా సేవకుడైన దావీదు నిమిత్తమూ నేను ఈ పట్టణాన్ని కాపాడి రక్షిస్తాను.”
36 അന്നുരാത്രി യഹോവയുടെ ദൂതൻ ഇറങ്ങിവന്ന് അശ്ശൂർപാളയത്തിൽ ഒരുലക്ഷത്തി എൺപത്തയ്യായിരം പടയാളികളെ കൊന്നു. പിറ്റേദിവസം രാവിലെ ജനങ്ങൾ ഉണർന്നു നോക്കിയപ്പോൾ അവരെല്ലാം മൃതശരീരങ്ങളായിക്കിടക്കുന്നതു കണ്ടു.
౩౬అప్పుడు యెహోవా దూత వెళ్ళి అష్షూరువారి సైనిక పటాలంలో 1, 85,000 మందిని హతమార్చాడు. ఉదయాన్నే ప్రజలు చూసినప్పుడు వారంతా శవాలుగా పడి ఉన్నారు.
37 അതിനാൽ അശ്ശൂർരാജാവായ സൻഹേരീബ് പാളയം ഉപേക്ഷിച്ചു മടങ്ങിപ്പോയി. അദ്ദേഹം നിനവേയിലേക്കു ചെന്ന് അവിടെ താമസിച്ചു.
౩౭అష్షూరు రాజు సన్హెరీబు తిరిగి నీనెవె పట్టణానికి వెళ్ళిపోయాడు.
38 ഒരു ദിവസം അദ്ദേഹം തന്റെ ദേവനായ നിസ്‌രോക്കിന്റെ ക്ഷേത്രത്തിൽ ആരാധിച്ചുകൊണ്ടിരുന്നപ്പോൾ അദ്ദേഹത്തിന്റെ പുത്രന്മാരായ അദ്രമെലെക്കും, ശരേസറും അദ്ദേഹത്തെ വാളാൽ വെട്ടിക്കൊന്നു. അതിനുശേഷം അവർ അരാരാത്ത് ദേശത്തേക്ക് ഓടിപ്പോയി. അദ്ദേഹത്തിന്റെ മറ്റൊരു മകനായ ഏസെർ-ഹദ്ദോൻ അദ്ദേഹത്തിനുപകരം രാജാവായി.
౩౮ఆ తరవాత అతడు నిస్రోకు అనే తన దేవత మందిరంలో పూజలు చేస్తూ ఉన్నప్పుడు అద్రమ్మెలెకు, షెరెజెరు అనే అతని కొడుకులు అతణ్ణి కత్తితో చంపి అరారాతు దేశంలోకి పారిపోయారు. అప్పుడు అతని కొడుకు ఏసర్హద్దోను అతనికి బదులుగా రాజయ్యాడు.
