2 Kings 2 - New International Version (NIV)

Elijah Taken Up to Heaven

2 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) 2 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.

3 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.”

4 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.

5 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.”

6 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.

7 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. 8 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.

9 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.

Cross references

  1. 2 Kings 2:1 : S Ge 5:24
  2. 2 Kings 2:1 : ver 11; 1Ki 19:11; Isa 5:28; 66:15; Jer 4:13; Na 1:3
  3. 2 Kings 2:1 : S 1Ki 19:16, 21
  4. 2 Kings 2:1 : S Dt 11:30; 2Ki 4:38
  5. 2 Kings 2:2 : ver 6
  6. 2 Kings 2:2 : Ru 1:16
  7. 2 Kings 2:3 : S 1Sa 10:5
  8. 2 Kings 2:4 : Jos 3:16
  9. 2 Kings 2:5 : ver 3
  10. 2 Kings 2:6 : ver 2
  11. 2 Kings 2:6 : Jos 3:15
  12. 2 Kings 2:6 : Ru 1:16
  13. 2 Kings 2:8 : S 1Ki 19:19
  14. 2 Kings 2:8 : ver 14
  15. 2 Kings 2:8 : S Ex 14:21
  16. 2 Kings 2:8 : Ex 14:22, 29
  17. 2 Kings 2:9 : S Dt 21:17
  18. 2 Kings 2:9 : S Nu 11:17
  19. 2 Kings 2:11 : 2Ki 6:17; Ps 68:17; 104:3, 4; Isa 66:15; Hab 3:8; Zec 6:1
  20. 2 Kings 2:11 : S Ge 5:24
  21. 2 Kings 2:11 : S ver 1
  22. 2 Kings 2:12 : 2Ki 6:17; 13:14
  23. 2 Kings 2:12 : S Ge 37:29
  24. 2 Kings 2:14 : S 1Ki 19:19
  25. 2 Kings 2:14 : ver 8
  26. 2 Kings 2:15 : S 1Sa 10:5
  27. 2 Kings 2:15 : S Nu 11:17
  28. 2 Kings 2:16 : S 1Ki 18:12
  29. 2 Kings 2:16 : Ac 8:39
  30. 2 Kings 2:17 : S Jdg 3:25
  31. 2 Kings 2:21 : S Ex 15:25; 2Ki 4:41; 6:6
  32. 2 Kings 2:22 : Ex 15:25
  33. 2 Kings 2:23 : S Ex 22:28; 2Ch 30:10; 36:16; Job 19:18; Ps 31:18
  34. 2 Kings 2:24 : S Ge 4:11
  35. 2 Kings 2:24 : S Dt 18:19
  36. 2 Kings 2:25 : S 1Ki 18:20

You Might Also Like:

2 Kings 2 - Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

2 And it cometh to pass, at Jehovah's taking up Elijah in a whirlwind to the heavens, that Elijah goeth, and Elisha, from Gilgal, 2 and Elijah saith unto Elisha, `Abide, I pray thee, here, for Jehovah hath sent me unto Beth-El;' and Elisha saith, `Jehovah liveth, and thy soul liveth, if I leave thee...
Read More

2 Kings 2 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

2 Forsooth it was done, when the Lord would raise (up) Elijah by a whirlwind into heaven, Elijah and Elisha went from Gilgal. 2 And Elijah said to Elisha, Sit thou here, for the Lord [hath] sent me till into Bethel. To whom Elisha said, The Lord liveth, and thy soul liveth, for I shall not forsake t...
Read More

2 Kings 2 - World English Bible (WEB)

2 When Yahweh was about to take Elijah up by a whirlwind into heaven, Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal. 2 Elijah said to Elisha, “Please wait here, for Yahweh has sent me as far as Bethel.”Elisha said, “As Yahweh lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel. ...
Read More

2 Kings 2 - The Voice (VOICE)

2 Elijah and Elisha were leaving Gilgal when the Eternal One planned to snatch Elijah up into the heavens by the power of a fierce dancing wind. Elijah (to Elisha): 2 I ask you to remain here. The Eternal has commanded me to go all the way to Bethel.Elisha: As certain as your own life and the life o...
Read More

2 Kings 2 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

Elijah in a Chariot of Fire2 Now it came to pass, when Adonai was about to take up Elijah by a whirlwind into heaven, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal. 2 Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here please, for Adonai has sent me on to Bethel.”But Elisha said, “As Adonai lives, and as you live, I will...
Read More

2 Kings 2 - Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

Elijah Ascends to Heaven2 Now when the Lord was about to take Eli′jah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Eli′jah and Eli′sha were on their way from Gilgal. 2 And Eli′jah said to Eli′sha, “Tarry here, I pray you; for the Lord has sent me as far as Bethel.” But Eli′sha said, “As the Lord lives, and as you ...
Read More

2 Kings 2 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

Elijah Ascends to Heaven2 Now when the Lord was about to take Eli′jah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Eli′jah and Eli′sha were on their way from Gilgal. 2 And Eli′jah said to Eli′sha, “Tarry here, I pray you; for the Lord has sent me as far as Bethel.” But Eli′sha said, “As the Lord lives, and as you ...
Read More

2 Kings 2 - New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

Elijah Ascends to Heaven2 Now when the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. 2 Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here; for the Lord has sent me as far as Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will n...
Read More

2 Kings 2 - New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

Elijah Ascends to Heaven2 Now when the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. 2 Elijah said to Elisha, ‘Stay here; for the Lord has sent me as far as Bethel.’ But Elisha said, ‘As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will n...
Read More

2 Kings 2 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Elijah Ascends to Heaven2 Now when the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal.(A)2 Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here, for the Lord has sent me as far as Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives and as you yourself live, I will n...
Read More

2 Kings 2 - New Living Translation (NLT)

Elijah Taken into Heaven2 When the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were traveling from Gilgal. 2 And Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here, for the Lord has told me to go to Bethel.”But Elisha replied, “As surely as the Lord lives and you yourself live, I wil...
Read More

2 Kings 2 - New Life Version (NLV)

Elijah Is Taken Up to Heaven2 When the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a wind-storm, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. 2 Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here, I ask you. For the Lord has sent me as far as Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives and as you yourself liv...
Read More

2 Kings 2 - New King James Version (NKJV)

Elijah Ascends to Heaven2 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. 2 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 (...
Read More

2 Kings 2 - New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

Elijah taken up to heaven2 When the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. 2 Elijah said to Elisha, ‘Stay here; 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.’ ...
Read More

2 Kings 2 - New International Version (NIV)

Elijah Taken Up to Heaven2 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) 2 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 no...
Read More

2 Kings 2 - New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

Elijah Is Taken Up to Heaven2 Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. The Lord was going to use a strong wind to take Elijah up to heaven. 2 Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here. The Lord has sent me to Bethel.”But Elisha said, “I won’t leave you. And that’s just as sure as the Lord and you a...
Read More

2 Kings 2 - New English Translation (NET)

Elijah Makes a Swift Departure2 Just before[a] the Lord took Elijah up to heaven in a windstorm, Elijah and Elisha were traveling from Gilgal. 2 Elijah told Elisha, “Stay here, for the Lord has sent me to Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As certainly as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave yo...
Read More