When the prophet saw that Hezekiah loved God more than his own son, he was glad, and he restrained the king, and said, “It is the will of God that he should live.”
Manasseh reigned in the room of his father, and was a cruel tyrant. He worshipped idols, and sought to make Isaiah partake in his idolatry. And when he could not succeed, he sawed him asunder with a saw of wood.
“And whilst Isaiah was being cut asunder, Melekira stood up and accused him, and all the lying prophets were present, and they showed great joy, and they mocked him.
“And Belial said to Isaiah: ‘Confess that all thou hast said is false, and that the ways of Manasseh are good and just.
“‘Confess that the ways of Melekira, and of those that are with him, are good.’
“He spake thus to him, as the saw entered into his flesh.
“But Isaiah was in an ecstasy, and his eyes were open, and he looked upon the spectators of his passion.
“Then said Melekira to Isaiah: ‘Confess what I shall say, and I will change the heart of those who persecute thee, and I will make Manasseh, and the heads of Judah, and his people, and all Jerusalem, worship thee.’
“Then Isaiah answered and said: ‘Cursed art thou in all that thou sayest, and in all thy power, and in all thy disciples!’
“‘Thou canst do nothing against me; all thou canst do is to take from me this miserable life.’