God's Word Translation

2 Kings 2:2-15 God's Word Translation (GW)

2. Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here because the Lord is sending me to Bethel.”Elisha answered, “I solemnly swear, as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not abandon you.” So they went to Bethel.

3. Some of the disciples of the prophets at Bethel came to Elisha. They asked him, “Do you know that the Lord is going to take your master from you today?”He answered, “Yes, I know. Be quiet.”

4. Elijah said, “Elisha, please stay here because the Lord is sending me to Jericho.”Elisha answered, “I solemnly swear, as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not abandon you.” So they went to Jericho.

5. Then some of the disciples of the prophets who were in Jericho approached Elisha. They asked, “Do you know that the Lord is going to take your master from you today?”He answered, “Yes, I know. Be quiet.”

6. Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here because the Lord is sending me to the Jordan River.”Elisha answered, “I solemnly swear, as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not abandon you.”

7. Fifty disciples of the prophets stood at a distance as Elijah and Elisha stood by the Jordan River.

8. Elijah took his coat, rolled it up, and struck the water with it. The water divided to their left and their right, and the two men crossed ⌊the river⌋ on dry ground.

9. While they were crossing, Elijah asked Elisha, “What should I do for you before I’m taken from you?”Elisha answered, “Let me inherit a double share of your spirit.”

10. Elijah said, “You have asked for something difficult. If you see me taken from you, it will be yours. Otherwise, it will not.”

11. As they continued walking and talking, a fiery chariot with fiery horses separated the two of them, and Elijah went to heaven in a windstorm.

12. When Elisha saw this, he cried out, “Master! Master! Israel’s chariot and horses!” When he couldn’t see Elijah anymore, he grabbed his own garment and tore it in two ⌊to show his grief⌋.

13. Then he picked up Elijah’s coat (which had fallen off Elijah), went back, and stood on the bank of the Jordan River.

14. He took the coat and struck the water with it. He asked, “Where is the Lord God of Elijah?” As he struck the water, it divided to his left and his right, and Elisha crossed ⌊the river⌋.

15. The disciples of the prophets who were at Jericho saw him from a distance. They said, “Elijah’s spirit rests on Elisha!” Then they went to meet him and bowed in front of him with their faces touching the ground.