Ancient Israel: The Former Prophets 2Kings 2:1-11 by Robert Alter Lyrics

“And it happened, when the LORD was going to take Elijah up to the heavens in a whirlwind, that Elijah, and Elisha with him, went from Gilgal. And Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here, pray, for the LORD has sent me to Bethel.” And Elisha said, “As the LORD lives and as you live, I will not forsake you.” And they went down to Bethel. And the acolyte prophets who were in Bethel came out to Elisha and said to him, “Did you know that today the LORD is about to take your master from over you?” And he said, “I, too, know. Be still!” And Elijah said to him, “Elisha, stay here, pray, for the LORD has sent me to Jericho.” And he said, “As the LORD lives and as you live, I will not forsake you.” And they came to Jericho. And the acolyte prophets who were in Jericho approached Elisha and said to him, “Do you know that today the LORD is about to take your master from over you?” And he said, “I, too, know. Be still!” And Elijah said to him, “Stay here, pray, for the LORD has sent me to the Jordan.” “And he said, “As the LORD lives and as you live, I will not forsake you.” And the two of them went. And fifty men of the acolyte prophets had gone and stood opposite at a distance, and the two of them stood by the Jordan. And Elijah took his mantle and rolled it up and struck the water, and it parted on both sides, and the two of them crossed over on dry ground. And it happened as they crossed over that Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask, what may I do for you before I am taken from you?” And Elisha said, “Let there be, pray, a double portion of your spirit upon me.” And he said, “You have asked a hard thing. If you see me taken from you, let it be thus for you, and if not, it will not be.” And it happened as they were going along speaking, that, look, there was a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and they separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to the heavens in a whirlwind.”