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The Shunammite Regains Her Land
8 Elisha spoke to the woman whose son he had ·brought back [restored] to life. He said, “Get up and go with your ·family [L household]. ·Stay [Settle; Live; T Sojourn] any place you can, because the Lord has called for a ·time without food [famine] that will last seven years.” 2 So the woman got up and did as the man of God had said. She left with her ·family [L household], and they ·stayed [settled; lived; T sojourned] in the land of the Philistines for seven years. 3 After seven years she returned from the land of the Philistines and went to ·beg [appeal to] the king for her house and land. 4 The king was talking with Gehazi, the servant of the man of God. The king had said, “Please tell me all the great things Elisha has done.” 5 Gehazi was telling the king how Elisha had ·brought [restored] a dead boy back to life. Just then the woman whose son Elisha had ·brought back [restored] to life came and ·begged [appealed to] the king for her house and land.
Gehazi said, “My ·master [lord] and king, this is the woman, and this is the son Elisha ·brought back [restored] to life.”
6 The king ·asked [questioned] the woman, and she told him about it. Then the king ·chose [appointed] an officer to help her. “·Give [Restore to] the woman everything that is hers,” the king said. “Give her all the ·money made [revenue] from her land from the day she left until now.”
Ben-Hadad Is Killed
7 Then Elisha went to Damascus, where Ben-Hadad king of Aram was sick. Someone told him, “The man of God has ·arrived [come all this way].”
8 The king said to Hazael, “Take a gift in your hand and go meet him. ·Ask [Inquire of] the Lord through him if I will recover from my sickness.”
9 So Hazael went to meet Elisha, taking with him a gift of forty camels loaded with ·every good thing [the finest wares] in Damascus. He came and stood before Elisha and said, “Your son [C a term of respect, not literal] Ben-Hadad king of Aram sent me to you. He asks if he will recover from his sickness.”
10 Elisha said to Hazael, “Go and tell Ben-Hadad, ‘You will surely recover,’ but the Lord has told me he will really die [C perhaps indicating that Elisha knew that the king would soon die, but not from illness].” 11 ·Hazael stared at Elisha [or Elisha stared at Hazael; L He stared at him] until he felt ·ashamed [uneasy]. Then Elisha cried.
12 Hazael asked, “Why are you crying, my ·master [lord]?”
Elisha answered, “Because I know what ·evil [harm; terrible things] you will do to the ·Israelites [L sons/T children of Israel]. You will burn their ·strong, walled [fortified] cities with fire and kill their young men with the sword. You will ·throw [dash] their babies ·to the ground [or in pieces] and ·split [rip] open their pregnant women.”
13 Hazael said, “·Am I a dog? How could I [or How could I, a mere dog,] ·do such things [or accomplish such great things]?”
Elisha answered, “The Lord has shown me that you will be king over Aram.”
14 Then Hazael left Elisha and ·came [returned] to his ·master [lord]. Ben-Hadad said to him, “What did Elisha say to you?”
Hazael answered, “He told me that you will ·surely [certainly] recover.” 15 But the next day Hazael took a blanket and ·dipped [soaked] it in water. Then he ·put [spread; held] it over Ben-Hadad’s face, and he died. So Hazael became king in Ben-Hadad’s place.
Jehoram King of Judah(A)
16 While Jehoshaphat was king in Judah, Jehoram son of Jehoshaphat became king of Judah. This was during the fifth year Joram son of Ahab was king of Israel. 17 Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he ·began to rule [became king], and he ·ruled [reigned] eight years in Jerusalem. 18 He ·followed [L walked in] the ways of the kings of Israel, just as the ·family [L house] of Ahab had done, because he married Ahab’s daughter. Jehoram did ·what the Lord said was wrong [L evil in the eyes/sight of the Lord]. 19 But the Lord ·would not [was unwilling to] destroy Judah ·because [for the sake] of his servant David. The Lord had promised ·that one of David’s descendants would always rule [L to give a lamp to him and his descendants forever; C a metaphor for the reign of a king; 2 Sam. 7:12; 1 Kin. 11:36; 2 Chr. 21:7].
20 In Jehoram’s time Edom ·broke away from [revolted against] Judah’s ·rule [L hand] and ·chose [set up] their own king. 21 So Jehoram and all his chariots ·went [crossed over] to Zair. The Edomites surrounded him and his chariot commanders. Jehoram got up and attacked the Edomites at night, but his army ran away to their ·tents [homes]. 22 From then until now Edom has ·fought [been in revolt/rebellion] against the rule of Judah. At the same time Libnah also ·broke away from Judah’s rule [revolted; rebelled].
23 The other acts of Jehoram and all the things he did ·are [L are they not…?] written in the book of the ·history [chronicles; annals; 1:18] of the kings of Judah. 24 Jehoram ·died [L lay down/T slept with his fathers/ancestors] and was buried with his ·ancestors [fathers] in the City of David [C Jerusalem], and Jehoram’s son Ahaziah ·ruled [became king] in his place.
25 Ahaziah son of Jehoram ·became king of [began to reign/rule over] Judah during the twelfth year Joram son of Ahab was king of Israel. 26 Ahaziah was twenty-two years old when he became king, and he ·ruled [reigned] one year in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Athaliah, a granddaughter of Omri king of Israel. 27 Ahaziah ·followed [L walked in] the ways of Ahab’s ·family [L house]. He did ·what the Lord said was wrong [L evil in the eyes/sight of the Lord], as Ahab’s ·family [L house] had done, because he was a son-in-law to the house of Ahab.
28 Ahaziah went with Joram son of Ahab to Ramoth in Gilead, where they fought against Hazael king of Aram. The Arameans wounded Joram. 29 So King Joram returned to Jezreel to ·heal [recover] from the wound he had received from the Arameans at Ramoth when he fought Hazael king of Aram. Ahaziah son of Jehoram king of Judah went down to visit Joram son of Ahab at Jezreel, because he ·had been wounded [was ailing/ill].
Jehu Is Chosen King
9 At the same time, Elisha the prophet called a man from the ·groups [company; brotherhood; L sons] of prophets. Elisha said, “·Get ready [L Gird up your loins; 4:29], and take this ·small bottle [flask] of olive oil in your hand. Go to Ramoth in Gilead. 2 When you arrive, find Jehu son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi. Go in and make Jehu get up from among his ·brothers [companions], and take him to an ·inner [private] room. 3 Then take the ·bottle [flask] and pour the oil on Jehu’s head and say, ‘·This is what the Lord says [T Thus says the Lord]: I have ·appointed [anointed] you king over Israel.’ Then open the door and ·run away [flee]. Don’t wait!”
4 So the young man, the young prophet, went to Ramoth in Gilead. 5 When he arrived, he saw the officers of the army sitting together. He said, “Commander, I have a message for you.”
Jehu asked, “For which one of us?”
The young man said, “For you, commander.”
6 Jehu got up and went into the house. Then the young prophet poured the olive oil on Jehu’s head and said to him, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel says: ‘I have ·appointed [anointed] you king over the Lord’s people Israel. 7 You must ·destroy [strike down] the ·family [L house] of Ahab your ·master [lord]. I will ·punish [have vengeance against] Jezebel for the ·deaths [L blood] of my servants the prophets and ·for [L for the blood of] all the Lord’s servants. 8 All of Ahab’s ·family [L house] must die. I will ·destroy [L cut off] every ·male [L one who urinates against the wall] child in Ahab’s ·family [L house] in Israel, whether slave or free. 9 I will make Ahab’s ·family [L house] like the ·family [L house] of Jeroboam son of Nebat and like the ·family [L house] of Baasha son of Ahijah. 10 The dogs will ·eat [devour] Jezebel at Jezreel, and no one will bury her.’”
Then the young prophet opened the door and ·ran away [fled].
11 When Jehu went back to his ·master’s [lord’s] officers, one of them said to Jehu, “Is everything all right? Why did this ·crazy man [madman] come to you?”
Jehu answered, “You know ·the [that kind of] man and how he ·talks [babbles].”
12 They answered, “·That’s not true [Liar]. Tell us.”
Jehu said, “He said to me, ‘This is what the Lord says: I have ·appointed [anointed] you to be king over Israel.’”
13 Then the officers hurried, and each man took off his own coat and put it on the stairs for Jehu [C signifying submission]. They blew the trumpet and shouted, “Jehu is king!”
Paul and Silas in Jail
16 Once, while we were going to the place for prayer, a ·servant [slave] girl met us. She had a ·special spirit [spirit/demon of divination/prediction; L Python spirit; C Python was the serpent god that guarded the Delphic oracle; the term came to be used of the ability to predict the future] in her, and she earned a lot of money for her owners by telling fortunes. 17 This girl followed Paul and us, shouting, “These men are ·servants [slaves] of the Most High God. They are telling you ·how you can be saved [L the way/path of salvation].”
18 She kept this up for many days. This ·bothered [annoyed; exasperated] Paul, so he turned and said to the spirit, “By the ·power [L name] of Jesus Christ, I command you to come out of her!” ·Immediately, [L That very hour] the spirit came out.
19 When the owners of the ·servant [slave] girl saw that their ·source for making money [hope of profit] was gone, they grabbed Paul and Silas and dragged them before the ·city rulers [leaders; authorities] in the marketplace. 20 They brought Paul and Silas to the ·Roman rulers [magistrates] and said, “These men are Jews and are ·making trouble in [disturbing] our city. 21 They are ·teaching things [advocating customs] that are not ·right [permitted; lawful] for us as Romans to [L adopt/accept or to] do.”
22 The crowd joined the attack against them. The ·Roman officers [magistrates] ·tore [stripped off] the clothes of Paul and Silas and ·had [ordered] them beaten with rods [2 Cor. 11:25]. 23 After ·being severely beaten [L many blows were laid on them], ·Paul and Silas [L they] were thrown into ·jail [prison], and the jailer was ordered to guard them ·carefully [securely]. 24 When he heard this order, he put them far inside the ·jail [prison] and ·pinned [secured; fastened] their feet ·down between large blocks of wood [in stocks; L in wood].
25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing ·songs [hymns; praise songs] to God as the other prisoners listened. 26 Suddenly, there was a ·strong [great; violent] earthquake that shook the foundation of the ·jail [prison]. Then all the doors of the ·jail [prison] broke open, and all the prisoners were freed from their chains. 27 The jailer woke up and saw that the ·jail [prison] doors were open. Thinking that the prisoners had already escaped, he got his sword and was about to kill himself [C being responsible, he would suffer punishment and shame for their escape]. 28 But [L with a great/loud voice] Paul shouted, “Don’t hurt yourself! We are all here.”
29 The jailer ·told someone to bring a light [L asked for lights]. Then he ·ran [rushed] inside and, shaking with fear, fell down before Paul and Silas. 30 He brought them outside and said, “·Men [L Lords; Sirs], what must I do to be saved?”
31 They said to him, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved—you and ·all the people in your house [your household].” 32 So ·Paul and Silas [L they] told the ·message [word] of the Lord to the jailer and all the people in his ·house [household]. 33 At that hour of the night the jailer took Paul and Silas and washed their wounds. Then he and all his ·people [or family; household] were baptized immediately. 34 After this the jailer took Paul and Silas home and gave them food. He and his ·family [L household] ·were very happy [rejoiced; celebrated] because they now believed in God.
35 The next morning, the ·Roman officers [magistrates] sent the police to tell the jailer, “Let these men go free.”
36 The jailer ·said [L reported these words] to Paul, “The ·officers [magistrates] have sent an order to let you go free. You can leave now. Go in peace.”
37 But Paul said to ·the police [L them], “They beat us in public ·without a trial [L uncondemned], even though we are Roman citizens [C Roman law stated that citizens could not be beaten without a trial]. And they threw us in ·jail [prison]. Now they want to ·make us go away [get rid of us; throw us out] ·quietly [in secret]. No! Let them come themselves and bring us out.”
38 The police ·told [reported to] the ·Roman officers [magistrates] what Paul said. When ·the officers [L they] heard that ·Paul and Silas [L they] were Roman citizens, they were afraid. 39 So they came and ·told Paul and Silas they were sorry [apologized to them; appeased them] and took them out of ·jail [prison] and asked them to leave the city. 40 So when they came out of the ·jail [prison], they went to Lydia’s house where they saw some of the ·believers [L brothers (and sisters)] and encouraged them. Then they left.
A Prayer Not to Be Killed
A psalm of David.
143 Lord, hear my prayer;
·listen [L give ear] to my ·cry for mercy [prayer of supplication].
Answer me
because you are ·loyal [faithful] and ·good [righteous].
2 Don’t ·judge me [L bring me into judgment], your servant,
because no one alive is ·right [righteous] before you [Rom. 3:22; Gal. 2:16].
3 My enemies are ·chasing [pursuing; persecuting] me;
they crushed me to the ground.
They made me ·live [sit] in darkness
like those long dead [Lam. 3:6].
4 ·I am afraid [I am depressed; L my spirit is faint; 142:3];
my ·courage is gone [L heart within me is desolated].
5 I remember ·what happened long ago [L the former days];
I ·consider [meditated on] everything you have done.
I ·think [considered] ·about all you have made [L the work of your hands].
6 I ·lift my hands to you in prayer [L spread out my hands to you].
·As a dry land needs rain, I thirst [L My life/soul is like a thirsty/parched land] for you. ·
7 Lord, answer me quickly,
because ·I am getting weak [L my spirit languishes].
Don’t ·turn away [L hide your face] from me,
or I will be like those who ·are dead [L go down to the pit].
8 ·Tell me [Make me hear] in the morning about your ·love [loyalty],
because I ·trust [have confidence in] you.
·Show me what I should do [L Make me know the way I should walk],
because ·my prayers go up [L I lift up my soul] to you.
9 Lord, ·save [protect] me from my enemies;
I hide in you.
10 Teach me to do ·what you want [your will],
because you are my God.
Let your good Spirit [or spirit]
·lead [guide] me on level ground.
11 Lord, let me live
·so people will praise you [L for the sake of your name].
In your ·goodness [righteousness]
·save me [L bring me out] from my ·troubles [distress].
12 In your ·love [loyalty] ·defeat [destroy] my enemies.
·Destroy [L Make perish] all those who ·trouble [distress] me,
because I am your servant.
26 It is not good to punish the ·innocent [righteous]
or to beat leaders for being honest.
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