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2 Kings 4:38-41
New American Standard Bible
2 Kings 4:38-41
New American Standard Bible
The Poisonous Stew
38 When Elisha returned to (A)Gilgal, there was (B)a famine in the land. [a]As (C)the sons of the prophets (D)were sitting in front of him, he said to his servant, “(E)Put on the large pot and boil stew for the sons of the prophets.” 39 Then one went out into the field to gather mallow, and found a wild vine and gathered from it his lap full of wild gourds; and he came and sliced them into the pot of stew, because they did not know what they were. 40 So they poured it out for the men to eat. But as they were eating the stew, they cried out and said, “You man of God, there is (F)death in the pot!” And they were unable to eat. 41 Then he said, “Bring flour.” (G)And he threw it into the pot, and said, “Pour it out for the people that they may eat.” Then there was nothing harmful in the pot.
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- 2 Kings 4:38 Lit And
2 Kings 4:38-41
International Standard Version
2 Kings 4:38-41
International Standard Version
Poisoned Stew is Purified
38 Elisha returned to Gilgal during a time of famine in the land. While the Guild of Prophets were having a meal[a] with him, he instructed his attendant, “Put a large pot on the fire and boil some stew for the Guild of Prophets.” 39 Somebody went out into the fields to grab some herbs, found a wild vine, and gathered a lap full of wild gourds, which he came and sliced up into the stew pot, but nobody else knew.
40 When they served the men, they began to eat the stew. But they cried out, “That pot of stew is deadly, you man of God!” So they couldn’t eat the stew.
41 But he replied, “Bring me some flour.” He tossed it into the pot and said, “Serve the people so they can eat.” Then there was nothing harmful in the pot.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 2 Kings 4:38 Lit. were sitting
2 Kings 4:38-41
New International Version
2 Kings 4:38-41
New International Version
Death in the Pot
38 Elisha returned to Gilgal(A) and there was a famine(B) in that region. While the company of the prophets was meeting with him, he said to his servant, “Put on the large pot and cook some stew for these prophets.”
39 One of them went out into the fields to gather herbs and found a wild vine and picked as many of its gourds as his garment could hold. When he returned, he cut them up into the pot of stew, though no one knew what they were. 40 The stew was poured out for the men, but as they began to eat it, they cried out, “Man of God, there is death in the pot!” And they could not eat it.
41 Elisha said, “Get some flour.” He put it into the pot and said, “Serve it to the people to eat.” And there was nothing harmful in the pot.(C)
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New International Version (NIV) 
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