先知責備約沙法

19 猶大王約沙法平安地回到耶路撒冷的宮中。 哈拿尼先見的兒子耶戶出來迎接約沙法王,對他說:「你怎能幫助惡人,愛那憎恨耶和華的人呢?你這樣做已經惹怒耶和華了。 然而你還有善行,因為你剷除境內的亞舍拉神像,立志尋求上帝。」

約沙法的改革

約沙法在耶路撒冷住了一段時間後,就出巡民間,從別示巴一直走到以法蓮山區,引導民眾歸向他們祖先的上帝耶和華。 他又在猶大各堅城委任審判官, 對他們說:「你們辦事必須謹慎,因為你們不是為人而是為耶和華斷案,你們斷案的時候,耶和華必與你們同在。 現在你們應當敬畏耶和華,謹慎辦事,因為我們的上帝耶和華毫無不義,不偏待人,不受賄賂。」

約沙法還在耶路撒冷委任一些利未人、祭司和以色列族長替耶和華斷案,審理訴訟。他們就住在耶路撒冷。 約沙法訓導他們說:「你們要懷著敬畏耶和華的心,全心全意地辦事。 10 各城中的同胞若把案件帶到你們面前,無論是殺人流血,還是有關律法、誡命、律例和典章的案件,你們都要警告他們不要得罪耶和華,免得耶和華的烈怒臨到你們和你們的同胞。你們這樣行,就沒有罪了。 11 凡有關耶和華的事,由亞瑪利雅大祭司監督你們;凡有關君王的事,由猶大支派的族長以實瑪利的兒子西巴第雅監督你們。利未人做官長協助你們。你們要行事勇敢,願耶和華與正直的人同在!」

Jehoshaphat's Reforms

19 Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned in safety to his house in Jerusalem. But (A)Jehu the son of (B)Hanani (C)the seer went out to meet him and said to King Jehoshaphat, “Should you (D)help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord? Because of this, (E)wrath has gone out against you from the Lord. Nevertheless, (F)some good is found in you, for (G)you destroyed the Asheroth out of the land, and have (H)set your heart to seek God.”

Jehoshaphat lived at Jerusalem. And he went out again among the people, from Beersheba to (I)the hill country of Ephraim, and brought them back to the Lord, the God of their fathers. He appointed (J)judges in the land in all (K)the fortified cities of Judah, city by city, and said to the judges, “Consider what you do, (L)for you judge not for man but for the Lord. He is with you in giving judgment. Now then, let the fear of the Lord be upon you. Be careful what you do, for (M)there is no injustice with the Lord our God, (N)or partiality or taking bribes.”

Moreover, in Jerusalem Jehoshaphat (O)appointed certain Levites and priests and heads of families of Israel, (P)to give judgment for the Lord and to decide disputed cases. They had their seat at Jerusalem. And he charged them: (Q)“Thus you shall do in the fear of the Lord, in faithfulness, (R)and with your whole heart: 10 (S)whenever a case comes to you from your brothers who live in their cities, concerning bloodshed, law or commandment, statutes or rules, then you shall warn them, that they may not incur guilt before the Lord and (T)wrath may not come upon you and your brothers. Thus you shall do, and you will not incur guilt. 11 And behold, Amariah the chief priest is over you (U)in all matters of the Lord; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the governor of the house of Judah, in all the king's matters, and the Levites will serve you as officers. (V)Deal courageously, and may the Lord be with the upright!”[a]

Footnotes

  1. 2 Chronicles 19:11 Hebrew the good

19 When Jehoshaphat king of Judah returned safely to his palace in Jerusalem, 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. 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)

Jehoshaphat Appoints Judges

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. He appointed judges(H) in the land, in each of the fortified cities of Judah. 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. 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.”

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. 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.”

Footnotes

  1. 2 Chronicles 19:2 Or and make alliances with

19 And Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.