So prepare your minds for service, and have self-control. All your hope should be for the gift of grace (kindness) that will be yours when Jesus Christ appears (comes).
The power of the Lord came to Elijah. Elijah tightened his clothes around him {so he could run}. Then Elijah ran ahead of King Ahab all the way to Jezreel.
One worker uses his tools to heat iron over hot coals. This man uses his hammer to beat the metal, and the metal becomes a statue. This man uses his own powerful arms. But when the man becomes hungry, he loses his power. If the man does not drink water, he becomes weak.
Then Elisha said to Gehazi, “Get ready to go. Take my walking stick and go! {Don’t stop to talk to anyone!} If you meet any person, don’t even say hello to him. If any person says hello to you, don’t answer him. Put my walking stick on the child’s face.”