Catholic Public Domain Version

2 Kings 6:11-28 Catholic Public Domain Version (CPDV)

11. And the heart of the king of Syria was disturbed over this matter. And calling together his servants, he said, "Why have you not revealed to me the one who is betraying me to the king of Israel?"

12. And one of his servants said: "By no means, my lord the king! Rather it is the prophet Elisha, who is in Israel, who is revealing to the king of Israel every word whatsoever that you will speak in your conclave."

13. And he said to them, "Go, and see where he is, so that I may send and capture him." And they reported to him, saying, "Behold, he is in Dothan."

14. Therefore, he sent horses, and chariots, and experienced soldiers to that place. And when they had arrived in the night, they encircled the city.

15. Now the servant of the man of God, arising at first light, went out and saw the army all around the city, with horses and chariots. And he reported it to him, saying: "Alas, alas, alas, my lord! What shall we do?"

16. But he responded: "Do not be afraid. For there are more with us than with them."

17. And when Elisha had prayed, he said, "O Lord, open the eyes of this one, so that he may see." And the Lord opened the eyes of the servant, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire, all around Elisha.

18. Then truly, the enemies descended to him. But Elisha prayed to the Lord, saying: "Strike, I beg you, this people with blindness." And the Lord struck them, so that they would not see, in accord with the word of Elisha.

19. Then Elisha said to them: "This is not the way, and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will reveal to you the man whom you are seeking." Then he led them into Samaria.

20. And when they had entered into Samaria, Elisha said, "O Lord, open the eyes of these ones, so that they may see." And the Lord opened their eyes, and they saw themselves to be in the midst of Samaria.

21. And the king of Israel, when he had seen them, said to Elisha, "My father, should I not strike them?"

22. And he said: "You should not strike them. For you did not capture them with your sword or bow, so that you might strike them. Instead, set bread and water before them, so that they may eat and drink, and then go to their lord."

23. And a great preparation of foods was placed before them. And they ate and drank. And he dismissed them. And they went away to their lord. And the robbers of Syria no longer came into the land of Israel.

24. Now it happened that, after these things, Benhadad, the king of Syria, gathered together his entire army, and he ascended and was besieging Samaria.

25. And a great famine occurred in Samaria. And it was blockaded for a long time, until the head of a donkey was sold for eighty pieces of silver, and one fourth part of a pint of pigeons' dung sold for five silver coins.

26. And as the king of Israel was passing by the wall, a certain woman cried out to him, saying, "Save me, my lord the king!"

27. And he said: "If the Lord does not save you, how am I able to save you? From the grain floor, or from the wine press?" And the king said to her, "What is the matter with you?" And she responded:

28. "This woman said to me: 'Give your son, so that we may eat him today, and we will eat my son tomorrow.'