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.

Elisha Succeeds Elijah

15 Now when athe sons of the prophets who were at Jericho opposite him saw him, they said, “The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha.” And they came to meet him and bowed themselves to the ground before him.

16 They said to him, “Behold now, there are with your servants fifty strong men, please let them go and search for your master; perhaps athe Spirit of the Lord has taken him up and cast him on some mountain or into some valley.” And he said, “You shall not send.”

17 But when athey urged him until he was ashamed, he said, “Send.” They sent therefore fifty men; and they searched three days but did not find him.

18 They returned to him while he was staying at Jericho; and he said to them, “Did I not say to you, ‘Do not go’?”