2 Chronicles 19

Modern

Literal

Jehoshaphat Reproved by Jehu

¹When Jehoshaphat king of Judah had returned safely to his home in Jerusalem,

¹And Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned safely to his house in Jerusalem.

²Jehu son of Hanani the seer went out to confront him and said to King Jehoshaphat, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? Because of this, the wrath of the LORD is upon you.

²And Jehu son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and he said to King Jehoshaphat, “Should you be giving help to the wicked, and those hating YHWH would you love? And for this, wrath is upon you from before the face of YHWH.

³However, some good is found in you, for you have removed the Asherah poles from the land and have set your heart on seeking God.”

³But good things are found in you, in that you have removed the Asherah poles from the land, and you have established your heart to seek God.”

Jehoshaphat’s Reforms

⁴Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem, and once again he went out among the people from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim and turned them back to the LORD, the God of their fathers.

⁴And Jehoshaphat dwelt in Jerusalem. And he turned back and went out among the people from Beersheba to the mountains of Ephraim, and he brought them back to YHWH, God of their fathers.

⁵He appointed judges in the land, in each of the fortified cities of Judah.

⁵And he set judges in the land throughout all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city,

⁶Then he said to the judges, “Consider carefully what you do, for you are not judging for man, but for the LORD, who is with you when you render judgment.

⁶and he said to the judges, “See to what you are doing, for not for man do you judge, but for YHWH, who is with you in the matter of judgment.

⁷And now, may the fear of the LORD be upon you. Be careful what you do, for with the LORD our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery.”

⁷And now let the dread of YHWH be upon you; take care and do it, for not with YHWH our God are iniquity and lifting up of faces and taking of a bribe.”

⁸Moreover, Jehoshaphat appointed in Jerusalem some of the Levites, priests, and heads of the Israelite families to judge on behalf of the LORD and to settle disputes. And they lived in Jerusalem.

⁸And also in Jerusalem Jehoshaphat appointed from the Levites, and the priests, and from the heads of the fathers of Israel, for the judgment of YHWH and for controversies; and they returned to Jerusalem.

⁹He commanded them, saying, “You must serve faithfully and wholeheartedly in the fear of the LORD.

⁹And he commanded them, saying, “Thus you shall do in the fear of YHWH, in faithfulness, and with a perfect heart.

¹⁰For every dispute that comes before you from your brothers who dwell in their cities—whether it regards bloodshed or some other violation of law, commandments, statutes, or ordinances—you are to warn them, so that they will not incur guilt before the LORD and wrath will not come upon you and your brothers. Do this, and you will not incur guilt.

¹⁰And any case that comes to you from your brothers who dwell in their cities, whether of bloodshed or offenses against law or commandment, against statutes or ordinances, you shall warn them, lest they trespass against YHWH and wrath come upon you and your brothers. Thus do, and you will not be guilty.

¹¹Note that Amariah, the chief priest, will be over you in all that pertains to the LORD, and Zebadiah son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, in all that pertains to the king. And the Levites will serve as officers before you. Act resolutely; may the LORD be with the upright!”

¹¹And behold, Amariah is the chief priest over you in all matters of YHWH, and Zebadiah son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, in all matters of the king. And the Levites are officials before you. Be strong and act, and YHWH will be with the good one.”