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Old Testament Reading - Elijah taken up into heaven

^1-2Now the time came for the Lord to take Elijah to heaven — by means of a whirlwind! Elijah said to Elisha as they left Gilgal, “Stay here, for the Lord has told me to go to Bethel.”

^6-7Then Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here, for the Lord has sent me to the Jordan River.”

But Elisha replied as before, “I swear to God that I won’t leave you.”

So they went on together and stood beside the Jordan River as fifty of the young prophets watched from a distance. ⁸Then Elijah folded his cloak together and struck the water with it; and the river divided and they went across on dry ground!

⁹When they arrived on the other side Elijah said to Elisha, “What wish shall I grant you before I am taken away?”

And Elisha replied, “Please grant me twice as much prophetic power as you have had.”

¹⁰“You have asked a hard thing,” Elijah replied. “If you see me when I am taken from you, then you will get your request. But if not, then you won’t.”

¹¹As they were walking along, talking, suddenly a chariot of fire, drawn by horses of fire, appeared and drove between them, separating them, and Elijah was carried by a whirlwind into heaven.

¹²Elisha saw it and cried out, “My father! My father! The chariot of Israel and the charioteers!”

As they disappeared from sight he tore his robe. ^13-14Then he picked up Elijah’s cloak and returned to the bank of the Jordan River, and struck the water with it.

“Where is the Lord God of Elijah?” he cried out. And the water parted and Elisha went across!