⁵ But Jehoshaphat also said to the king of Israel, “First seek the counsel^(A) of the Lord.”

⁴ But Jehoshaphat also said to the king of Israel, “First seek the counsel of the Lord.”

⁵ So the king of Israel brought together the prophets—four hundred men—and asked them, “Shall we go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or shall I not?”

“Go,” they answered, “for God will give it into the king’s hand.”

² Jeremiah the prophet and said to him, “Please hear our petition and pray^(A) to the Lord your God for this entire remnant.^(B) For as you now see, though we were once many, now only a few^(C) are left. ³ Pray that the Lord your God will tell us where we should go and what we should do.”^(D)

⁴ “I have heard you,” replied Jeremiah the prophet. “I will certainly pray^(E) to the Lord your God as you have requested; I will tell^(F) you everything the Lord says and will keep nothing back from you.”^(G)

⁵ Then they said to Jeremiah, “May the Lord be a true^(H) and faithful^(I) witness^(J) against us if we do not act in accordance with everything the Lord your God sends you to tell us. ⁶ Whether it is favorable or unfavorable, we will obey the Lord our God, to whom we are sending you, so that it will go well^(K) with us, for we will obey^(L) the Lord our God.”

² “Inquire^(A) now of the Lord for us because Nebuchadnezzar^[a](B) king of Babylon^(C) is attacking us. Perhaps the Lord will perform wonders^(D) for us as in times past so that he will withdraw from us.”

¹¹ But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there no prophet of the Lord here, through whom we may inquire^(A) of the Lord?”

An officer of the king of Israel answered, “Elisha^(B) son of Shaphat is here. He used to pour water on the hands of Elijah.^[a](C)”

²¹ He is to stand before Eleazar the priest, who will obtain decisions for him by inquiring^(A) of the Urim^(B) before the Lord. At his command he and the entire community of the Israelites will go out, and at his command they will come in.”

Rebellious Israel Purged

20 In the seventh year, in the fifth month on the tenth day, some of the elders of Israel came to inquire^(A) of the Lord, and they sat down in front of me.^(B)

² Then the word of the Lord came to me: ³ “Son of man, speak to the elders^(C) of Israel and say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Have you come to inquire^(D) of me? As surely as I live, I will not let you inquire of me, declares the Sovereign Lord.^(E)’

³ “Son of man, these men have set up idols in their hearts^(A) and put wicked stumbling blocks^(B) before their faces. Should I let them inquire of me at all?^(C)