2 Kings 2

Funda

   

1 And it was, when Jehovah would cause Elijah to go·​·up by a whirlwind into the heavens, that Elijah and Elisha went from Gilgal.

2 And Elijah said to Elisha, Sit here, I pray, for Jehovah has sent me to Bethel. And Elisha said, as Jehovah lives, and as thy soul lives, I will not forsake thee. And they went·​·down·​·to Bethel.

3 And the sons of the prophets that were in Bethel came·​·out to Elisha, and said to him, Knowest thou, that Jehovah takes away thy lord from thy head this day? And he said, I also know it; hush.

4 And Elijah said unto him, Elisha, sit here, I pray, for Jehovah has sent me to Jericho. And he said, As Jehovah lives, and as thy soul lives, I will not forsake thee. And they came to Jericho.

5 And the sons of the prophets that were at Jericho approached Elisha, and said to him, Knowest thou that this day Jehovah takes thy lord from thy head? And he said, I also know it; hush.

6 And Elijah said to him, Sit here, I pray, for Jehovah has sent me to the Jordan. And he said, As Jehovah lives, and as thy soul lives, I will not forsake thee. And the two went on.

7 And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went, and stood in·​·front·​·of them far·​·off; and they two stood by the Jordan.

8 And Elijah took his mantle and rolled· it ·together, and smote the waters, and they were halved hither and thither, and the two of them crossed·​·over on dry ground.

9 And it was, when they were crossed·​·over, that Elijah said to Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken from thee. And Elisha said, I pray, let a double portion* of thy spirit be for me.

10 And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing; if thou see me taken from thee, it shall be so to thee; but if not, it shall not be.

11 And it was, that they were walking, walking and speaking, and, behold, a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and they separated the two of them, and Elijah went·​·up by the whirlwind into* the heavens.

12 And Elisha saw it and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof! And he saw him no more; and he took·​·hold of his garments, and rent them in two rent pieces.

13 And he lifted·​·up the mantle of Elijah that fell from on him, and returned, and stood by the lip of the Jordan.

14 And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from on him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is Jehovah, the God of Elijah, even He? And he smote the waters, and they were halved hither and thither; and Elisha crossed·​·over.

15 And the sons of the prophets that were at Jericho, in· his ·presence, saw him, and they said, The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed· themselves ·down to him to the earth.

16 And they said to him, Behold, now, there·​·are with thy servants fifty men, sons of valor. Let them go, we pray, and seek thy lord, lest the spirit of Jehovah have lifted· him ·up and have cast him on one of the mountains, or into one of the ravines. And he said, You shall not send.

17 And they urged him until he was·​·ashamed, and he said, Send. And they sent fifty men, and they sought three days and found him not.

18 And they returned unto him (and he abode at Jericho); and he said to them, Did I not say to you, Go not?

19 And the men of the city said to Elisha, Behold, now, the situation of the city is good, as my lord sees; but the waters are bad and the land is bereaved*

20 And he said, Take me a new dish, and set salt in it. And they took it to him.

21 And he went·​·out to the going·​·out of the waters, and cast salt there, and said, Thus says Jehovah, I have healed these waters; there shall not be thence any more death nor sterility.

22 And the waters were healed, even·​·to this day, according to the word of Elisha which he spoke.

23 And he went·​·up from thence to Bethel; and he was going·​·up in the way, and small lads went·​·out from the city, and scoffed·​·at him and said to him, Go·​·up, bald one; Go·​·up, bald one!

24 And he turned· his ·face behind him and saw them, and cursed them in the name of Jehovah, and there came·​·out two she-bears from the forest, and ripped·​·open of them forty and two children.

25 And he went from thence to Mount Carmel, and from thence he returned to Samaria.

   

Thanks to the Kempton Project for the permission to use this New Church translation of the Word.