Elisa’ was a prophet, the successor of the lord Eliâs, of high dignity, and enjoying full authority among the children of Esrâil. The Jews allege that he was engaged in ploughing and cultivating the ground, when Eliâs was informed one day by divine revelation to appoint him his successor. Accordingly he accosted Elisa’ whilst engaged in his usual avocation and threw his mantle upon him,* which produced such an effect that he immediately stepped forward and said: ‘If thou wilt permit, I shall take leave of my parents, be at thy service, and follow thee.’ Eliâs asked: ‘What have I done that thou sayest this? And what hast thou seen of me?’ Elisa’s wish to serve him increased—a ray of divine light was shining in his breast; he quickly broke up his agricultural instruments, killed his ox for a sacrifice, distributed its meat as alms, joined Eliâs, and accompanied him wherever he went; until at last, after Eliâs, he governed the people of Esrâil, read the Mosaic Law to them, explained and revived the ordinances of the religion of Mûsa. He was in the habit of fasting during the day, and keeping vigils in the night. He also worked numerous miracles, some of which are as follows: The inhabitants of Ariha [Jericho] complained of the saltness of their water, whereon he took a lump of salt, threw it into the water, and said: ‘Be thou sweet, by the permission of the Most High.’ The water then immediately became sweet like honey. On another occasion a widow complained of her poverty, of the indebtedness of her late husband, and of the taking away of her children by creditors. His lordship asked: ‘What hast thou in thy house?’ She replied: ‘I have but one potful of oil.’ Elisa’ said: ‘Pour that oil into one vessel, and from that again into another.’ The woman did as she was bidden, and the oil became so abundant that the vessels could not hold it, so that at last all the inhabitants filled their jugs with oil.* In this manner her debts were paid, and she became perfectly comfortable. Once he alighted at the house of a man whose wife was barren, and by his request Elisa’ implored the Almighty, who then presented the master of the house with a pious son; the infant, however, having shortly afterwards died, he begged his lordship to resuscitate him, which request was also granted. On another occasion his disciples were preparing some food, one of whom threw some coloquinth into it by mistake; a voice, however, immediately issued from the food, saying: ‘Whoever eats of these victuals will die.’* As soon as his lordship had been apprised of this [warning] he poured some flour and water into the pot, uttered an invocation, whereon all ate of the food and no injury ensued.* He was in the habit of instructing the children of Esrâil about the intentions of their antagonists, and in the art of war, to enable them to fight any enemy with full confidence, so that one of the kings who opposed them said to his courtiers: ‘I do not know who is informing those people about our designs, and who divulges among them our secrets.’ They replied: ‘News concerning future events and hidden affairs are the business of the prophet Elisa’.’ The king was incensed with wrath, and started with a numerous army to attack the children of Esrâil, and suddenly took Elisa’ prisoner; but his lordship prayed that the eyes of his enemies might become void of the ornament of light, which having taken place, he escaped from the grasp of the foes of the religion.* On another occasion some guests arrived at the house of Elisa’, whereon he ordered his servant to bring forth the table, but the menial replied: ‘There are more than one hundred guests, and only twenty loaves.’* The prophet replied: ‘They will all become satiated, and the breads will remain as they are.’ The servant then produced the loaves, and though the guests ate abundantly, no diminution of the food could be perceived. The king of Damascus having been afflicted with the distemper of leprosy, despatched a message to one of the wise men of Esrâil, requesting him to send a skilful physician. Elisa’ was applied to, and he said that it would be necessary for the king to enter a river, in order to get rid of the disease. The messenger returned disappointed and reported the answer to the king, [who demurred to the proposal]; the intelligent among his people, however, advised him that it would at any rate be incumbent upon him to make a trial. The king accordingly entered the water and bathed, and when he came out of it the malady had totally disappeared. The king was so happy that he sent costly garments and purses full of gold to Elisa’. His lordship would accept nothing, but his servant was so greedy that he went in pursuit of the messenger, and took two purses of gold from him.* At that moment Elisa’ became aware of what had taken place, and cursed his servant, who thereon became afflicted with the complaint of the King of Damascus. Once there happened to be a great dearth and famine in Syria, because an army from various sides had congregated to besiege the children of Esrâil. On that occasion Elisa’ said to the people: ‘To-morrow corn will be so cheap that everyone will be astonished; and victuals will be sold at a very low price.* The chamberlain of the king laughed, and said: ‘If God—w. n. b. pr.—opens windows in the sky and pours down corn from them, cheapness will not take place.’* Elisa’ replied: ‘Thou wilt see it, but not eat of it.’ The next morning the enemies heard the clashing of arms, the neighing of horses, and the fighting of champions,* whereon all fled without any visible cause. The children of Esrâil having thus been delivered from the confinement of the siege, hastened out of the town, took possession of all the provisions of the enemy, and found them to be so abundant that they did not take them all. A crowd happened to meet the chamberlain who had scoffed, and slew him in the most ignominious manner.* When the death of Elisa’ was near at hand he informed the king of the period thereof; he also told him that he would thrice conquer the army of Egypt, and this prediction was likewise fulfilled. Several historians narrate, that, besides the above miracles, he also worked many others, to mention which would [unduly] lengthen this narrative. As the children of Esrâil sometimes obeyed, and at others resisted, him, he became weary [of life], so that at last he prayed to the Lord of Magnificence to be received into higher society, and into the company of prophets. After this request had been granted he called for Zulkefl, appointed him his successor, and his precious soul was conveyed to the Lord of both worlds.