Elijah Taken to Heaven

1 And it came about when the Lord was about to atake up Elijah by a 1whirlwind to heaven, that Elijah went with bElisha from cGilgal.

2 Elijah said to Elisha, “aStay here please, for the Lord has sent me as far as bBethel.” But Elisha said, “cAs the Lord lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel.

3 Then athe 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 from over 1you today?” And he said, “Yes, I know; be still.”

4 Elijah said to him, “Elisha, please astay here, for the Lord has sent me to bJericho.” But he said, “aAs the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they came to Jericho.

5 aThe sons of the prophets who were at Jericho approached Elisha and said to him, “bDo you know that the Lord will take away your master from over 1you today?” And he 2answered, “Yes, I know; be still.”

6 Then Elijah said to him, “Please astay here, for the Lord has sent me to bthe Jordan.” And he said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So the two of them went on.

7 Now afifty men of the sons of the prophets went and stood opposite them at a distance, while the two of them stood by the Jordan.

8 Elijah atook his mantle and folded it together and bstruck the waters, and they were divided here and there, so that the two of them crossed over on dry ground.

9 When they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask what I shall do for you before I am taken from you.” And Elisha said, “Please, let a adouble portion of your spirit be upon me.”

10 He said, “You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you asee me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so.”

11 As they were going along and talking, behold, there appeared aa chariot of fire and horses of fire which separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a 1whirlwind to heaven.

12 Elisha saw it and cried out, “aMy father, my father, the 1chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” And he saw 2Elijah no more. Then bhe took hold of his own clothes and tore them in two pieces.

13 He also took up the mantle of Elijah that fell from him and returned and stood by the bank of the Jordan.

14 He took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him and struck the waters and said, “Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” And when he also had astruck the waters, they were divided here and there; and Elisha crossed over.