Chapter 9

¹ For indeed at that time, under Hezekiah, Merodach the Chaldean, the king of Babylonia, being likewise astonished at what had happened—because he practiced the art of astrology and accurately measured the course of these heavenly bodies—when he had learned the cause, sent letters and gifts to Hezekiah.

² In the same way also acted the magi who came from the east; for when the Lord was born in Bethlehem and the star appeared in heaven according to the prophecy, the magi, marveling at the sign that had occurred, came to Jerusalem, saying: Where is the king of the Jews that has been born? For we have seen his star in the east and have come to worship him.

³ In like manner, then, the Chaldeans also at that time, not finding the customary course of the sun, honored Hezekiah with gifts and letters as a God-fearing and righteous man, marveling at the sign that had been given to him by God.

⁴ At this Hezekiah rejoiced and showed them all the treasures that were in the house of the Lord; then all his wealth and his glory.

⁵ Then, when the prophet Isaiah said: Who are these men, and whence have they come to you? Hezekiah answered: They have come to me from a land far off, from the land of Babylon.

⁶ Isaiah said to him: What did they see in your house? And Hezekiah said: They saw all that is in my house, and there is nothing that I did not show them—indeed even the things in my treasuries.

⁷ And Isaiah said to Hezekiah: Hear the word of the Lord Almighty of Hosts. Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when all that is in your house, and whatever your fathers have stored up until this day, shall be taken away and shall come to Babylon, and they shall leave nothing behind, says the Lord. And of your children who shall come forth from you, whom you have begotten, they shall take, and they shall be eunuchs in the house of the king.