1. Behold, a man of God came out of Judah by The LORD's word to Beth El; and JEROBOAM was standing by the altar to burn incense.

2. He cried against the altar by The LORD's word, and said, "Altar! Altar! the LORD says: 'Behold, a son will be born to David's house, Josiah by name. On you he will sacrifice the priests of the high places who burn incense on you, and they will burn men's bones on you.'"

3. He gave a sign the same day, saying, "This is the sign which the LORD has spoken: Behold, the altar will be split apart, and the ashes that are on it will be poured out."

4. When the king heard the saying of the man of God, which he cried against the altar in Bethel, JEROBOAM put out his hand from the altar, saying, "Seize him!" His hand, which he put out against him, dried up, so that he could not draw it back again to himself.

5. The altar was also split apart, and the ashes poured out from the altar, according to the sign which the man of God had given by The LORD's word.

6. The king answered the man of God, "Now intercede for the favor of the LORD your God, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored me again."The man of God interceded with The LORD, and the king's hand was restored to him again, and became as it was before.

7. The king said to the man of God, "Come home with me, and refresh yourself, and I will give you a reward."

8. The man of God said to the king, "Even if you gave me half of your house, I would not go in with you, neither would I eat bread nor drink water in this place;

9. for so was it commanded me by The LORD's word, saying, 'You shall eat no bread, drink no water, and don't return by the way that you came.'"

10. So he went another way, and didn't return by the way that he came to Bethel.