A reading from the second book of Kings.

One day Elisha came to Shunem, where there was a woman of influence, who urged him to dine with her.  Afterward, whenever Elisha passed by, they dined together.  One day the woman told her husband, “I know that Elisha is a prophet.  Since he visits us often, let us arrange a little

room on the roof and furnish it with a bed, table, chair and lamp, so there will be a place for him to stay.”  Sometime later Elisha arrived and stayed in the room overnight.

Elisha then said to his attendant Gehazi, “Call this Shunammite woman.”  Gehazi did so, and when the woman arrived Elisha said to Gehazi, “Tell her, ‘You have lavished all this care on us; what can we do for you? Can we put in a good word for you with the ruler or with the commander of the army?'”  The woman replied, “I am living among my own people.”

Later Elisha asked, “Can something be done for her?”  “Yes!” Gehazi answered.  “She has no children, and her husband is getting on in

years.”  “Call the woman,” said Elisha.  When she had been called and stood at the door, Elisha promised, “This time next year you will be holding’ a child in your arms.”  “Please,” she protested, “you are a prophet; do not deceive your faithful one.”

The Word of God recorded in the second book of Kings.