Old Testament

New Testament

2 Kings 5:16-25 Common English Bible (CEB)

16. But Elisha said, "I swear by the life of the Lord I serve that I won’t accept anything."Naaman urged Elisha to accept something, but he still refused.

17. Then Naaman said, "If not, then let me, your servant, have two mule loads of earth. Your servant will never again offer entirely burned offerings or sacrifices to any other gods except the Lord.

18. But may the Lord forgive your servant for this one thing: When my master comes into Rimmon’s temple to bow down there and is leaning on my arm, I must also bow down in Rimmon’s temple. When I bow down in Rimmon’s temple, may the Lord forgive your servant for doing that."

19. Elisha said to him, "Go in peace."But when Naaman had gone some distance from Elisha,

20. Gehazi (who was the servant of Elisha the man of God) thought, My master let this Aramean Naaman off the hook by not accepting the gift he brought! As surely as the Lord lives, I’ll go after him and accept something from him.

21. So Gehazi pursued Naaman.Naaman saw him running after him, so he got down off his chariot to meet him. He said, "Is everything okay?"

22. Gehazi answered, "Yes, but my master sent me to say, ‘Two young men who are members of a group of prophets have just now come to me from the hills of Ephraim. Give them a kikkar of silver and two changes of clothing.’"

23. Naaman said, "By all means, take two kikkars!" He encouraged Gehazi to accept them. He tied two kikkars of silver up in two bags, along with two changes of clothes. Naaman gave them to two of his servants, and they carried them in front of Gehazi.

24. When Gehazi arrived at the elevated fortress, he took the items from them and stored them in his house. Then he sent the servants away, and they left.

25. Gehazi then went and stood before his master.Elisha said to Gehazi, "Where did you come from, Gehazi?""Your servant didn’t go anywhere," Gehazi replied.

Read complete chapter 2 Kings 5