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14 Naaman walked down to the Jordan; he waded out into the water and stooped down in it seven times, just as Elisha had told him. At once, he was cured, and his skin became as smooth as a child's.

15 Naaman and his officials went back to Elisha. Naaman stood in front of him and announced, “Now I know that the God of Israel is the only God in the whole world. Sir, would you please accept a gift from me?”

16 “I am a servant of the living Lord,” Elisha answered, “and I swear that I will not take anything from you.”

Naaman kept begging, but Elisha kept refusing. 17 Finally Naaman said, “If you won't accept a gift, then please let me take home as much soil as two mules can pull in a wagon. Sir, from now on I will offer sacrifices only to the Lord.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. 5.17 let me take … the Lord: It was believed that the Lord had to be worshiped in Israel or on soil taken from Israel.

14 So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times,(A) as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored(B) and became clean like that of a young boy.(C)

15 Then Naaman and all his attendants went back to the man of God(D). He stood before him and said, “Now I know(E) that there is no God in all the world except in Israel. So please accept a gift(F) from your servant.”

16 The prophet answered, “As surely as the Lord lives, whom I serve, I will not accept a thing.” And even though Naaman urged him, he refused.(G)

17 “If you will not,” said Naaman, “please let me, your servant, be given as much earth(H) as a pair of mules can carry, for your servant will never again make burnt offerings and sacrifices to any other god but the Lord.

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