The Deadly Stew

38 When Elisha returned to Gilgal,(A) there was a famine(B) in the land. The sons of the prophets(C) were sitting before him.(D) He said to his attendant, “Put on the large pot and make stew for the sons of the prophets.”

39 One went out to the field to gather herbs and found a wild vine from which he gathered as many wild gourds as his garment would hold. Then he came back and cut them up into the pot of stew, but they were unaware of what they were.[a]

40 They served some for the men to eat, but when they ate the stew they cried out, “There’s death in the pot,(E) man of God!” And they were unable to eat it.

41 Then Elisha said, “Get some flour.” He threw it into the pot and said, “Serve it for the people to eat.” And there was nothing bad in the pot.(F)

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Footnotes

  1. 4:39 of what they were added for clarity

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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