Elijah Taken Up to Heaven

When the Lord was about to take(A) Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind,(B) Elijah and Elisha(C) were on their way from Gilgal.(D) Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here;(E) the Lord has sent me to Bethel.”

But Elisha said, “As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you.”(F) So they went down to Bethel.

The company(G) of the prophets at Bethel came out to Elisha and asked, “Do you know that the Lord is going to take your master from you today?”

“Yes, I know,” Elisha replied, “so be quiet.”

Then Elijah said to him, “Stay here, Elisha; the Lord has sent me to Jericho.(H)

And he replied, “As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” So they went to Jericho.

The company(I) of the prophets at Jericho went up to Elisha and asked him, “Do you know that the Lord is going to take your master from you today?”

“Yes, I know,” he replied, “so be quiet.”

Then Elijah said to him, “Stay here;(J) the Lord has sent me to the Jordan.”(K)

And he replied, “As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you.”(L) So the two of them walked on.

Fifty men from the company of the prophets went and stood at a distance, facing the place where Elijah and Elisha had stopped at the Jordan. Elijah took his cloak,(M) rolled it up and struck(N) the water with it. The water divided(O) to the right and to the left, and the two of them crossed over on dry(P) ground.

When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?”

“Let me inherit a double(Q) portion of your spirit,”(R) Elisha replied.

10 “You have asked a difficult thing,” Elijah said, “yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours—otherwise, it will not.”

11 As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire(S) and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven(T) in a whirlwind.(U) 12 Elisha saw this and cried out, “My father! My father! The chariots(V) and horsemen of Israel!” And Elisha saw him no more. Then he took hold of his garment and tore(W) it in two.

13 Elisha then picked up Elijah’s cloak that had fallen from him and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. 14 He took the cloak(X) that had fallen from Elijah and struck(Y) the water with it. “Where now is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” he asked. When he struck the water, it divided to the right and to the left, and he crossed over.

15 The company(Z) of the prophets from Jericho, who were watching, said, “The spirit(AA) of Elijah is resting on Elisha.” And they went to meet him and bowed to the ground before him. 16 “Look,” they said, “we your servants have fifty able men. Let them go and look for your master. Perhaps the Spirit(AB) of the Lord has picked him up(AC) and set him down on some mountain or in some valley.”

“No,” Elisha replied, “do not send them.”

17 But they persisted until he was too embarrassed(AD) to refuse. So he said, “Send them.” And they sent fifty men, who searched for three days but did not find him. 18 When they returned to Elisha, who was staying in Jericho, he said to them, “Didn’t I tell you not to go?”

Healing of the Water

19 The people of the city said to Elisha, “Look, our lord, this town is well situated, as you can see, but the water is bad and the land is unproductive.”

20 “Bring me a new bowl,” he said, “and put salt in it.” So they brought it to him.

21 Then he went out to the spring and threw(AE) the salt into it, saying, “This is what the Lord says: ‘I have healed this water. Never again will it cause death or make the land unproductive.’” 22 And the water has remained pure(AF) to this day, according to the word Elisha had spoken.

Elisha Is Jeered

23 From there Elisha went up to Bethel. As he was walking along the road, some boys came out of the town and jeered(AG) at him. “Get out of here, baldy!” they said. “Get out of here, baldy!” 24 He turned around, looked at them and called down a curse(AH) on them in the name(AI) of the Lord. Then two bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the boys. 25 And he went on to Mount Carmel(AJ) and from there returned to Samaria.

以利亞被接升天

耶和華將要用旋風接以利亞往天上去的時候,以利亞和以利沙一起離開吉甲。 以利亞對以利沙說:“你留在這裡吧,因為耶和華差派我到伯特利去。”以利沙說:“我指著永活的耶和華和你的性命起誓:我必不離開你。”於是他們下到伯特利去。 在伯特利的先知門徒出來見以利沙,對他說:“你知道今天耶和華要接你的老師離開你嗎?”他說:“我已經知道了,你們別再多說。” 以利亞對以利沙說:“你留在這裡吧,因為耶和華差派我往耶利哥。”他說:“我指著永活的耶和華和你的性命起誓:我必不離開你。”於是他們來到耶利哥。 在耶利哥的先知門徒前來見以利沙,對他說:“你知道今天耶和華要接你的老師離開你嗎?”他說:“我已經知道了,你們別再多說。” 以利亞對他說:“你留在這裡吧,因為耶和華差派我往約旦河去。”以利沙說:“我指著永活的耶和華和你的性命起誓:我必不離開你。”於是他們二人繼續前行。

先知門徒中有五十人跟著他們,遠遠地站在他們對面;他們二人在約旦河河邊站著。 以利亞拿著自己的外衣,把它捲起,擊打河水,河水就左右分開,他們二人就在乾地上走過去了。 他們過去之後,以利亞對以利沙說:“在我沒有被接離開你以先,我可以為你作些甚麼,你儘管求吧!”以利沙說:“求你使你的靈雙倍地臨到我。” 10 以利亞說:“你所求的是一件難事,不過我被接離開你的時候,如果你看見我,就必得著,否則就得不著了。” 11 他們邊走邊談的時候,忽然,有火車火馬把他們二人分開,以利亞就在旋風中被接往天上去了。 12 以利沙看見,就喊叫:“我父!我父!以色列的戰車馬兵啊!”跟著就不再看見他了。以利沙抓住自己的衣服,把它撕成兩片。 13 他拾起以利亞身上掉下來的外衣,就回去,站在約旦河河邊。 14 他拿著從以利亞身上掉下來的外衣,擊打河水,說:“耶和華以利亞的 神在哪裡呢?”他一擊打河水,河水就左右分開,以利沙就走過去了。

15 那些耶利哥的先知門徒在遠處看見,就說:“以利亞的靈在以利沙身上了。”他們就來迎接他,俯伏在地拜他。 16 他們對他說:“請看,你的僕人這裡有五十個壯士;請讓他們去尋找你的老師,或者耶和華的靈把他提去,丟在某一座山上,或某一處山谷裡。”以利沙說:“你們不必派人去了。” 17 他們懇求他,使他不好意思推辭,於是他說:“你們派人去吧。”他們就派出五十個人,尋覓了三天,仍然找不著。 18 於是他們回到以利沙那裡;那時,他還停留在耶利哥,他對他們說:“我不是告訴了你們不必去的嗎?”

以利沙治好耶利哥惡劣的水

19 那城的人對以利沙說:“請看這城的地勢很好,老師你也看見,可惜水惡劣,以致此地沒有出產。” 20 以利沙說:“給我拿一個新碗來,裡面要盛點鹽。”他們就把碗拿給他。 21 他就出去到水源那裡,把鹽倒在那裡,然後說:“耶和華這樣說:‘我已經醫好了這水,從此不再有人死亡,地也不再沒有出產了。’” 22 那水果然治好了,直到今日,正如以利沙所說的話。

23 以利沙從那裡上伯特利去,正沿路上去的時候,從城裡有一班年輕人走出來,譏笑他,說:“禿頭的上去吧!禿頭的上去吧!” 24 以利沙回頭看著他們,奉耶和華的名咒詛他們。於是有兩隻母熊從樹林裡走出來,撕裂了他們中間四十二個年輕人。 25 以利沙從那裡上迦密山,又從迦密山回到撒瑪利亞。

Elijah Ascends to Heaven

And it came to pass, when the Lord was about to (A)take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with (B)Elisha from Gilgal. Then Elijah said to Elisha, (C)“Stay here, please, for the Lord has sent me on to Bethel.”

But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives, and (D)as your soul lives, I will not leave you!” So they went down to Bethel.

Now (E)the sons of the prophets who were at Bethel came out to Elisha, and said to him, “Do you know that the Lord will take away your master [a]from over you today?”

And he said, “Yes, I know; keep silent!”

Then Elijah said to him, “Elisha, stay here, please, for the Lord has sent me on to Jericho.”

But he said, “As the Lord lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you!” So they came to Jericho.

Now the sons of the prophets who were at Jericho came to Elisha and said to him, “Do you know that the Lord will take away your master from over you today?”

So he answered, “Yes, I know; keep silent!”

Then Elijah said to him, “Stay here, please, for the Lord has sent me on to the Jordan.”

But he said, “As the Lord lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you!” So the two of them went on. And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went and stood facing them at a distance, while the two of them stood by the Jordan. Now Elijah took his mantle, rolled it up, and struck the water; and (F)it was divided this way and that, so that the two of them crossed over on dry (G)ground.

And so it was, when they had crossed over, that Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask! What may I do for you, before I am taken away from you?”

Elisha said, “Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.”

10 So he said, “You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so. 11 Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly (H)a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah (I)went up by a whirlwind into heaven.

12 And Elisha saw it, and he cried out, (J)“My father, my father, the chariot of Israel and its horsemen!” So he saw him no more. And he took hold of his own clothes and tore them into two pieces. 13 He also took up the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and went back and stood by the bank of the Jordan. 14 Then he took the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and struck the water, and said, “Where is the Lord God of Elijah?” And when he also had struck the water, (K)it was divided this way and that; and Elisha crossed over.

15 Now when the sons of the prophets who were (L)from[b] Jericho saw him, they said, “The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha.” And they came to meet him, and bowed to the ground before him. 16 Then they said to him, “Look now, there are fifty strong men with your servants. Please let them go and search for your master, (M)lest perhaps the Spirit of the Lord has taken him up and cast him upon some mountain or into some valley.”

And he said, “You shall not send anyone.”

17 But when they urged him till he was (N)ashamed, he said, “Send them!” Therefore they sent fifty men, and they searched for three days but did not find him. 18 And when they came back to him, for he had stayed in Jericho, he said to them, “Did I not say to you, ‘Do not go’?”

Elisha Performs Miracles

19 Then the men of the city said to Elisha, “Please notice, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord sees; but the water is bad, and the ground barren.”

20 And he said, “Bring me a new bowl, and put salt in it.” So they brought it to him. 21 Then he went out to the source of the water, and (O)cast in the salt there, and said, “Thus says the Lord: ‘I have [c]healed this water; from it there shall be no more death or barrenness.’ ” 22 So the water remains (P)healed to this day, according to the word of Elisha which he spoke.

23 Then he went up from there to Bethel; and as he was going up the road, some youths came from the city and mocked him, and said to him, “Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!”

24 So he turned around and looked at them, and (Q)pronounced a curse on them in the name of the Lord. And two female bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the youths.

25 Then he went from there to (R)Mount Carmel, and from there he returned to Samaria.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Kings 2:3 Lit. from your head
  2. 2 Kings 2:15 Or at Jericho opposite him saw
  3. 2 Kings 2:21 purified

Elijah Taken to Heaven

Now when the Lord was about to (A)take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and (B)Elisha were on their way from (C)Gilgal. And Elijah said to Elisha, (D)“Please stay here, for the Lord has sent me as far as Bethel.” But Elisha said, (E)“As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel. And (F)the sons of the prophets who were in Bethel came out to Elisha and said to him, “Do you know that today the Lord will take away your master from over you?” And he said, “Yes, I know it; keep quiet.”

Elijah said to him, “Elisha, (G)please stay here, for the Lord has sent me to (H)Jericho.” But he said, (I)“As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they came to Jericho. (J)The sons of the prophets who were at Jericho drew near to Elisha and said to him, “Do you know that today the Lord will take away your master from over you?” And he answered, “Yes, I know it; keep quiet.”

Then Elijah said to him, (K)“Please stay here, for the Lord has sent me to the Jordan.” But he said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So the two of them went on. Fifty men of (L)the sons of the prophets also went and stood at some distance from them, as they both were standing by the Jordan. Then Elijah (M)took his cloak and rolled it up and struck the water, (N)and the water was parted to the one side and to the other, till the two of them could go over on dry ground.

When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you.” And Elisha said, “Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me.” 10 And he said, “You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it shall be so for you, but if you do not see me, it shall not be so.” 11 And as they still went on and talked, behold, (O)chariots of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. 12 And Elisha saw it and he cried, “My father, my father! (P)The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” And he saw him no more.

Then he took hold of his own clothes (Q)and tore them in two pieces. 13 And he took up the cloak of Elijah that had fallen from him and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. 14 Then he took the cloak of Elijah that had fallen from him and struck the water, saying, “Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” And when he had struck the water, (R)the water was parted to the one side and to the other, and Elisha went over.

Elisha Succeeds Elijah

15 Now when (S)the sons of the prophets who were at Jericho saw him opposite them, they said, “The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha.” And they came to meet him and bowed to the ground before him. 16 And they said to him, “Behold now, there are with your servants fifty strong men. Please let them go and seek your master. It may be that (T)the Spirit of the Lord has caught him up and cast him upon some mountain or into some valley.” And he said, “You shall not send.” 17 But when they urged him (U)till he was ashamed, he said, “Send.” They sent therefore fifty men. And for three days they sought him but did not find him. 18 And they came back to him while he was staying at Jericho, and he said to them, “Did I not say to you, ‘Do not go’?”

19 Now the men of the city said to Elisha, “Behold, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord sees, but the water is bad, and the land is unfruitful.” 20 He said, “Bring me a new bowl, and put salt in it.” So they brought it to him. 21 Then he went to the spring of water and (V)threw salt in it and said, “Thus says the Lord, I have healed this water; from now on neither death nor miscarriage shall come from it.” 22 So the water has been healed to this day, according to the word that Elisha spoke.

23 He went up from there to Bethel, and while he was going up on the way, some small boys came out of the city and jeered at him, saying, “Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!” 24 And he turned around, and when he saw them, (W)he cursed them in the name of the Lord. And two she-bears came out of the woods and tore forty-two of the boys. 25 From there he went on to (X)Mount Carmel, and from there he returned (Y)to Samaria.