2 Chronicles 19
Modern English Version
19 But Jehoshaphat king of Judah returned to his palace in Jerusalem in peace. 2 And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and he said to King Jehoshaphat, “How do you help those who are wicked and love those who hate the Lord? Because of this, wrath has gone out against you from the Lord. 3 However, some good things are found in you for you swept away the Asherah poles from the land, and you set your heart to seek after God.”
The Reforms of Jehoshaphat
4 Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem, but he went out among the people from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim, and he brought them back to the Lord God of their fathers. 5 And he set judges in the land among all the fortified cities of Judah, one by one. 6 And he said to the judges, “Consider carefully what you do because you do not judge according to man but the Lord, and He is with you in the matter of judgment. 7 So now may the fear of the Lord be on you. Consider and act well because there is no injustice, partiality, or bribe taking with the Lord our God.”
8 Moreover, Jehoshaphat appointed in Jerusalem some from the Levites and the priests and some from the heads of the families of Israel, in order to render judgment and decide disputes before the Lord; and they lived in Jerusalem. 9 And he commanded them, “So you will act in the fear of the Lord, in honesty, and with a complete heart. 10 And any dispute that comes before you all from your brothers who live in their cities, concerning bloodshed or offenses against law or commandment, against statutes or judgments, you will warn them, lest they trespass against the Lord and wrath come upon you and your brothers. Do this, and you will not trespass.
11 “Note that 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 will be officials before you. Deal courageously, and the Lord will be with the good.”
2 Chronicles 19
New King James Version
Jehoshaphat’s Additional Reforms
19 Then Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned safely to his house in Jerusalem. 2 And Jehu the son of Hanani (A)the seer went out to meet him, and said to King Jehoshaphat, “Should you help the wicked and (B)love those who hate the Lord? Therefore the (C)wrath of the Lord is upon you. 3 Nevertheless (D)good things are found in you, in that you have removed the [a]wooden images from the land, and have (E)prepared your heart to seek God.”
The Reforms of Jehoshaphat
4 So Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem; and he went out again among the people from Beersheba to the mountains of Ephraim, and brought them back to the Lord God of their (F)fathers. 5 Then he set (G)judges in the land throughout all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city, 6 and said to the judges, “Take heed to what you are doing, for (H)you do not judge for man but for the Lord, (I)who is with you [b]in the judgment. 7 Now therefore, let the fear of the Lord be upon you; take care and do it, for (J)there is no iniquity with the Lord our God, no (K)partiality, nor taking of bribes.”
8 Moreover in Jerusalem, for the judgment of the Lord and for controversies, Jehoshaphat (L)appointed some of the Levites and priests, and some of the chief fathers of Israel, [c]when they returned to Jerusalem. 9 And he commanded them, saying, “Thus you shall act (M)in the fear of the Lord, faithfully and with a loyal heart: 10 (N)Whatever case comes to you from your brethren 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 the Lord and (O)wrath come upon (P)you and your brethren. Do this, and you will not be guilty. 11 And take notice: (Q)Amariah the chief priest is over you (R)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 will be officials before you. Behave courageously, and the Lord will be (S)with the good.”
Footnotes
- 2 Chronicles 19:3 Or Asherim, Heb. Asheroth
- 2 Chronicles 19:6 Lit. in the matter of the judgment
- 2 Chronicles 19:8 LXX, Vg. for the inhabitants of Jerusalem
The Holy Bible, Modern English Version. Copyright © 2014 by Military Bible Association. Published and distributed by Charisma House.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
