English Standard Version ESV
New International Version NIV
1 After many days the word of the LORD came to Elijah, in the third year, saying, "Go, show yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain upon the earth."
1
After a long time, in the third year, the word of the LORD came to Elijah: “Go and present yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the land.”
2 So Elijah went to show himself to Ahab. Now the famine was severe in Samaria.
2
So Elijah went to present himself to Ahab. Now the famine was severe in Samaria,
3 And Ahab called Obadiah, who was over the household. (Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly,
3
and Ahab had summoned Obadiah, his palace administrator. (Obadiah was a devout believer in the LORD.
4 and when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, Obadiah took a hundred prophets and hid them by fifties in a cave and fed them with bread and water.)
4
While Jezebel was killing off the LORD’s prophets, Obadiah had taken a hundred prophets and hidden them in two caves, fifty in each, and had supplied them with food and water.)
5 And Ahab said to Obadiah, "Go through the land to all the springs of water and to all the valleys. Perhaps we may find grass and save the horses and mules alive, and not lose some of the animals."
5
Ahab had said to Obadiah, “Go through the land to all the springs and valleys. Maybe we can find some grass to keep the horses and mules alive so we will not have to kill any of our animals.”
6 So they divided the land between them to pass through it. Ahab went in one direction by himself, and Obadiah went in another direction by himself.
6
So they divided the land they were to cover, Ahab going in one direction and Obadiah in another.
7 And as Obadiah was on the way, behold, Elijah met him. And Obadiah recognized him and fell on his face and said, "Is it you, my lord Elijah?"
7
As Obadiah was walking along, Elijah met him. Obadiah recognized him, bowed down to the ground, and said, “Is it really you, my lord Elijah?”
8 And he answered him, "It is I. Go, tell your lord, 'Behold, Elijah is here.'"
8
“Yes,” he replied. “Go tell your master, ‘Elijah is here.’ ”
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.
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