ELIJAH IN THE WHIRLWIND

2 The time had come for the Lord to take Elijah up to heavenv in a whirlwind.w Elijah and Elishax were traveling from Gilgal,y 2 and Elijah said to Elisha,z “Stay here;aa the Lord is sending me on to Bethel.”ab

But Elisha replied, “As the Lord lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.”ac So they went down to Bethel.

3 Then the sons of the prophetsad who were at Bethel came out to Elisha and said, “Do you know that the Lord will take your master away from you today?”ae

He said, “Yes, I know. Be quiet.”

4 Elijah said to him, “Elisha, stay here; the Lord is sending me to Jericho.”a

But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went to Jericho.

5 Then the sons of the prophets who were in Jericho came up to Elisha and said, “Do you know that the Lord will take your master away from you today?”

He said, “Yes, I know. Be quiet.”

6 Elijah said to him, “Stay here; the Lord is sending me to the Jordan.”b

But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So the two of them went on.

7 Fifty men from the sons of the prophets came and stood observing them at a distance while the two of them stood by the Jordan.