The Prophet Elijah

1 Earlier, God had sent

the prophet Elijah

to speak messages

that burned like fire.

2At Elijah's command,

a famine hit Israel,

and many of the people died.

3Elijah performed miracles

by God's power--

he held back rain from Israel

and three times commanded fire

to fall from heaven.

4He is worthy of honor,

because who else could do

such amazing miracles?

5By the power of God Most High

he brought back life

into a dead body.

6But he also destroyed kings

and told famous people

they would die of disease.

7God corrected Elijah

at Mount Sinai

and told him to announce

that God's enemies

would be punished.

8So Elijah appointed kings

to punish these enemies,

and he appointed prophets

to carry on his own work.

9Then God took him to heaven

in a fiery whirlwind--

a chariot and horses

made of fire.

10It is written that Elijah

will come at the right time,

to calm God's anger

before it overflows,

and help parents

love their children.

Then Israel will be successful

once again.

11Those who live until he comes

will be blessed by the Lord,

and God's people who have died

will live again.

The Prophet Elisha

12 When Elijah disappeared

in the whirlwind,

God gave Elisha the same power

he had given to Elijah.

Elisha wasn't afraid of kings

and could not be forced

to do what they wanted.

* 13 No problem was too hard for him,

and he did marvelous things.

14Even after his death,

his body caused a miracle.

15 But the northern kingdom

still did not give up sinning

and they did not turn to God.

And so, they were captured

and led away

to foreign countries.

The kingdom of Judah

had few people,

but at least they had a king

from David's family.

16Sometimes they did right,

but often they sinned

worse than ever.

King Hezekiah and the Prophet Isaiah

17 Hezekiah fortified Jerusalem,

and using iron tools

he cut a tunnel through rock

to bring water in,

and dug cisterns to store it.

18 During Hezekiah's rule,

Sennacherib attacked Judah,

and before he left,

he sent his highest officer

to Jerusalem.

This arrogant officer boasted,

making threats against Zion.

19The people of Jerusalem

trembled with fear,

and they suffered

like a woman giving birth.

20 But they lifted up their hands

and prayed to the Lord,

the merciful and holy God.

He heard their prayers

and sent the prophet Isaiah

to rescue them.

21Then the Lord sent an angel,

who killed all the Assyrians

in their own army camp.

22Jerusalem was saved

because Hezekiah obeyed Isaiah

and pleased the Lord

by following the example

of his ancestor King David.

When this great prophet

had a vision, it came true.

23 One time, Isaiah caused the sun

to move backward,

and he gave a longer life

to the king.

24God's Spirit gave him power

to see the future,

and he comforted those in Zion

who were in sorrow,

25by telling them the secrets

hidden in the future

as far as the end of time.