The power of the LORD came on Elijah; he fastened his clothes tight around his waist and ran ahead of Ahab all the way to Jezreel.

Elisha turned to Gehazi and said, "Hurry! Take my walking stick and go. Don't stop to greet anyone you meet, and if anyone greets you, don't take time to answer. Go straight to the house and hold my stick over the boy."

Meanwhile the prophet Elisha called one of the young prophets and said to him, "Get ready and go to Ramoth in Gilead. Take this jar of olive oil with you,

Now stand up straight and answer the questions I ask you.

"Be ready for whatever comes, dressed for action and with your lamps lit,

So then, have your minds ready for action. Keep alert and set your hope completely on the blessing which will be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.

But the LORD said to me, "Do not say that you are too young, but go to the people I send you to, and tell them everything I command you to say.

The prophet who has had a dream should say it is only a dream, but the prophet who has heard my message should proclaim that message faithfully. What good is straw compared with wheat?

Tell Aaron everything I command you, and he will tell the king to let the Israelites leave his country.

God continued, "Mortal man, pay close attention and remember everything I tell you.

Then go to the people of your nation who are in exile and tell them what I, the Sovereign LORD, am saying to them, whether they pay attention to you or not."

He said, "Go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim to the people the message I have given you."

You know that I did not hold back anything that would be of help to you as I preached and taught in public and in your homes.

For I have not held back from announcing to you the whole purpose of God.

Do not be afraid of them, for I will be with you to protect you. I, the LORD, have spoken!"

Bring disgrace on those who persecute me, but spare me, LORD. Fill them with terror, but do not terrify me. Bring disaster on them and break them to pieces.

God answered, "I will be with you, and when you bring the people out of Egypt, you will worship me on this mountain. That will be the proof that I have sent you."

"But you, mortal man, must not be afraid of them or of anything they say. They will defy and despise you; it will be like living among scorpions. Still, don't be afraid of those rebels or of anything they say.

You will tell them whatever I tell you to say, whether they listen or not. Remember what rebels they are.

You know how we had already been mistreated and insulted in Philippi before we came to you in Thessalonica. And even though there was much opposition, our God gave us courage to tell you the Good News that comes from him.

The power of the LORD came on me with great force, and as his spirit carried me off, I felt bitter and angry.

After the seven days had passed, the LORD spoke to me.

If I announce that someone evil is going to die but you do not warn him to change his ways so that he can save his life, he will die, still a sinner, but I will hold you responsible for his death.

If, however, the lookout sees the enemy coming and does not sound the alarm, the enemy will come and kill those sinners, but I will hold the lookout responsible for their death.

If I announce that an evil person is going to die but you do not warn him to change his ways so that he can save his life, then he will die, still a sinner, and I will hold you responsible for his death.

I have no right to boast just because I preach the gospel. After all, I am under orders to do so. And how terrible it would be for me if I did not preach the gospel!