19 King Jehoshaphat of Judah returned safely to his home in Jerusalem. 2 The prophet Jehu, Hanani's son, went to meet him. He said to King Jehoshaphat, ‘You agreed to help a wicked man. You became the friend of someone who hates the Lord . You should not have done that. You have caused the Lord to be very angry with you. [ a ] 3 But you have done some good things. You have removed the Asherah poles from Judah's land. You have chosen to serve God.’
4 King Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem. He also travelled around the country to meet people. He went everywhere, from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim. [ b ] He warned the people to turn back to the Lord , the God of their ancestors. 5 He chose men to be judges. He put them everywhere in Judah, in each strong city. 6 He said to them, ‘Be careful how you do your job. Remember that you are not being a judge to please men. You are doing it to please the Lord . He will help you to decide what is right. 7 Respect the Lord 's authority. Be careful to do your job well. The Lord our God is always fair. So be fair to everyone, whoever they are. Do not cheat people. Do not accept bribes.’
8 Jehoshaphat also chose some Levites, priests and clan leaders to serve the Lord as judges in Jerusalem. They used God's law to decide who was right when people who lived in Jerusalem had arguments.
9 He said to them, ‘Serve the Lord faithfully and respect his authority. 10 You must warn the people who come from their towns and they ask you to judge an argument for them. The argument may be about a murder, or about anyone who has not obeyed God's laws, rules and commands. Whatever it is, you must warn people not to do things that the Lord says are wrong. If you do not warn them, God will be angry with you and the people of Judah. But if you do warn them, you will not be guilty of a sin.
11 Amariah, the most important priest, will have authority over you. He will tell you what the Lord 's law says is right. But if it is an argument about the king's laws, Ishmael's son Zebadiah, the officer who rules Judah, will decide what is right. The Levites will serve as your officers. Be brave and do your work well. The Lord will help you to do what is right!’
19 King Jehoshaphat of Judah came back safely to his house in Jerusalem. 2 The prophet Jehu, son of Hanani, went out to meet the king. Jehu said to him, “Why did you help those who are wicked? Why do you love those who hate the Lord ? That’s the reason the Lord is angry with you now. 3 Fortunately, you did some good things in your life. You did remove the Asherah poles from this country, and you did decide to ask God for his advice.”
4 Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem, but he would go out among the people throughout Judah, from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim. He helped the people turn back to the Lord , the God their ancestors worshiped. 5 Jehoshaphat went from town to town and appointed judges in each of the fortresses of Judah. 6 He told the judges, “Be careful in what you are doing, because you are not judging for people, but for the Lord . He will be with you when you make decisions. 7 You must fear the Lord . Protect justice and do what is right because the Lord our God is fair. He does not treat some people as if they are more important than others, and he does not accept bribes to change his judgments.”
8 In Jerusalem, Jehoshaphat chose some of the Levites, priests, and heads of the families of Israel to be judges. These men lived in Jerusalem and used the law of the Lord to settle problems among the people. 9 Jehoshaphat commanded them, “You must serve faithfully with all your heart. You must fear the Lord . 10 People from cities around the country will bring their problems to you. You will listen to cases where people have broken a law or a command or maybe killed someone. In all these cases you must warn the people not to sin against the Lord so that he will not get angry and punish you and your people.
11 “Amariah is the high priest, so he will make the final decision about the people’s responsibilities to the Lord . Zebadiah son of Ishmael is the leader of the tribe of Judah, so he will make the final decision about the people’s responsibilities to the king. The Levites will serve as scribes for you. Be brave and do what is right! May the Lord be with those of you who are good judges.”
19 And Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem.
2 And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the Lord ? therefore is wrath upon thee from before the Lord .
3 Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast taken away the groves out of the land, and hast prepared thine heart to seek God.
4 And Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem: and he went out again through the people from Beersheba to mount Ephraim, and brought them back unto the Lord God of their fathers.
5 And he set judges in the land throughout all the fenced cities of Judah, city by city,
6 And said to the judges, Take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the Lord , who is with you in the judgment.
7 Wherefore now let the fear of the Lord be upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with the Lord our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts.
8 Moreover in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set of the Levites, and of the priests, and of the chief of the fathers of Israel, for the judgment of the Lord , and for controversies, when they returned to Jerusalem.
9 And he charged them, saying, Thus shall ye do in the fear of the Lord , faithfully, and with a perfect heart.
10 And what cause soever shall come to you of your brethren that dwell in your cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and judgments, ye shall even warn them that they trespass not against the Lord , and so wrath come upon you, and upon your brethren: this do, and ye shall not trespass.
11 And, behold, Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of the Lord ; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, for all the king's matters: also the Levites shall be officers before you. Deal courageously, and the Lord shall be with the good.
19 Then Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned in safety to his house in Jerusalem. 2 ( A ) And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him and said to King Jehoshaphat, “ ( B ) Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord , and [ a ] ( C ) by doing so bring wrath on yourself from the Lord ? 3 But [ b ] ( D ) there is some good in you, for ( E ) you have removed the [ c ] Asheroth from the land and you ( F ) have set your heart to seek God.”
4 So Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem and went out again among the people from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim, and ( G ) brought them back to the Lord , the God of their fathers.
5 He appointed ( H ) judges in the land in all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city. 6 He said to the judges, “Consider what you are doing, for ( I ) you do not judge for mankind but for the Lord who is with you [ d ] when you render judgment. 7 Now then, let the fear of the Lord be upon you; be careful [ e ] about what you do, for [ f ] the Lord our God will ( J ) have no part in injustice ( K ) or partiality, or in the taking of a bribe.”
8 In Jerusalem Jehoshaphat also appointed some ( L ) of the Levites and priests, and some of the heads of the fathers’ households of Israel, for the judgment of the Lord , and [ g ] to judge disputes among the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 9 Then he commanded them, saying, “This is what you shall do in the fear of the Lord , faithfully and wholeheartedly. 10 ( M ) Whenever any dispute comes to you from your countrymen who live in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and ordinances, you shall warn them so that they will not be guilty before the Lord , and ( N ) wrath will not come on you and your countrymen. This you shall do and you will not be guilty. 11 Behold, Amariah the chief priest will be over you in ( O ) every matter [ h ] that pertains to the Lord , and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, in all that pertains to the king. Also the Levites shall be officers before you. [ i ] ( P ) Act resolutely, and may the Lord be with the upright.”
19 When Jehoshaphat king of Judah returned safely to his palace in Jerusalem, 2 Jehu ( A ) the seer, the son of Hanani, went out to meet him and said to the king, “Should you help the wicked ( B ) and love [ a ] those who hate the Lord ? ( C ) Because of this, the wrath ( D ) of the Lord is on you. 3 There is, however, some good ( E ) in you, for you have rid the land of the Asherah poles ( F ) and have set your heart on seeking God. ( G ) ”
4 Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem, and he went out again among the people from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim and turned them back to the Lord , the God of their ancestors. 5 He appointed judges ( H ) in the land, in each of the fortified cities of Judah. 6 He told them, “Consider carefully what you do, ( I ) because you are not judging for mere mortals ( J ) but for the Lord , who is with you whenever you give a verdict. 7 Now let the fear of the Lord be on you. Judge carefully, for with the Lord our God there is no injustice ( K ) or partiality ( L ) or bribery.”
8 In Jerusalem also, Jehoshaphat appointed some of the Levites, ( M ) priests ( N ) and heads of Israelite families to administer ( O ) the law of the Lord and to settle disputes. And they lived in Jerusalem. 9 He gave them these orders: “You must serve faithfully and wholeheartedly in the fear of the Lord . 10 In every case that comes before you from your people who live in the cities—whether bloodshed or other concerns of the law, commands, decrees or regulations—you are to warn them not to sin against the Lord ; ( P ) otherwise his wrath will come on you and your people. Do this, and you will not sin.
11 “Amariah the chief priest will be over you in any matter concerning the Lord , and Zebadiah son of Ishmael, the leader of the tribe of Judah, will be over you in any matter concerning the king, and the Levites will serve as officials before you. Act with courage, ( Q ) and may the Lord be with those who do well.”
