2 Kings 2:11-18 ▼

11 And it came to pass, as they were walking, walking on and speaking, that behold a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and they separated between the two of them, and Elijah went up in the whirlwind into the heavens.

12 And Elisha saw it, and he cried out, “My father, my father, the chariot of Israel and its horsemen,” and he saw him no more. And he took hold of his own clothes and tore them into two pieces.

13 And He took up the cloak of Elijah that had fallen from him, and he returned and stood by the bank of the Jordan.

14 And he took the cloak of Elijah that had fallen from him and struck the waters, and he said, “Where is YHWH, God of Elijah—even he?” And he struck the waters, and they were divided here and here. And Elisha passed over.

15 And saw him the sons of the prophets who were from Jericho facing him, and they said, “The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha.” And they came to meet him and bowed before him to the ground.

16 And they said to him, “Behold now, there are with your servants fifty men, sons of valor. Let them go, please, and search for your master, lest the Spirit of YHWH has taken him up and cast him upon one of the mountains, or into one of the valleys.” And he said, “You? shall not send anyone.”

17 And they urged him until he was ashamed, and he said, “Send them.” And they sent fifty men, and they searched for three days, and they did not find him.

18 And they came back to him, for he had stayed in Jericho. And he said to them, “Did not I say to you? not to go?”