2 Kings 2:8-10

2:8 Elijah took his cloak, folded it up, and hit the water with it. The water divided, and the two of them crossed over on dry ground.

2:9 When they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, “What can I do for you, ¹  before I am taken away from you?” Elisha answered, “May I receive a double portion of the prophetic spirit that energizes you.” ²  2:10 Elijah ³  replied, “That’s a difficult request! ⁴  If you see me taken from you, may it be so, but if you don’t, it will not happen.”

[2:9]  ¹ tn Heb “Ask! What can I do for you….?”

[2:9]  ² tn Heb “May a double portion of your spirit come to me.”

[2:10]  ³ tn Heb “he”; the referent (Elijah) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[2:10]  ⁴ tn Heb “You have made difficult [your] request.”