The Lord Speaks to Elijah

⁹ There he came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, ^(A)the word of the Lord came to him, and he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” ¹⁰ He said, “I have been very ^(B)jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, ^(C)thrown down your altars, and ^(D)killed your prophets with the sword, ^(E)and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” ¹¹ And he said, “Go out and ^(F)stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and ^(G)a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind ^(H)an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. ¹² And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper.^{[a] 13} And when Elijah heard it, ^(I)he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, ^(J)there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” ¹⁴ He said, ^(K)“I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, ^(L)thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” ¹⁵ And the Lord said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. And when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Syria. ^16 (M)And Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint to be king over Israel, and ^(N)Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint to be prophet in your place. ¹⁷ And the one who escapes from ^(O)the sword of Hazael ^(P)shall Jehu put to death, and the one who escapes from the sword of Jehu ^(Q)shall Elisha put to death. ^18 (R)Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not ^(S)kissed him.”