2 Chronicles 19
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
19 King Jehoshaphat of Judah returned in peace to his house in Jerusalem. 2 Jehu son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him and said to King Jehoshaphat, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord? Because of this, wrath has gone out against you from the Lord.(A) 3 Nevertheless, some good is found in you, for you destroyed the sacred poles[a] out of the land and have set your heart to seek God.”(B)
The Reforms of Jehoshaphat
4 Jehoshaphat resided at Jerusalem; then he went out again among the people, from Beer-sheba to the hill country of Ephraim, and brought them back to the Lord, the God of their ancestors.(C) 5 He appointed judges in the land in all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city, 6 and said to the judges, “Consider what you are doing, for you judge not on behalf of humans but on the Lord’s behalf; he is with you in giving judgment.(D) 7 Now, let the fear of the Lord be upon you; take care what you do, for there is no perversion of justice with the Lord our God or partiality or taking of bribes.”(E)
8 Moreover, in Jerusalem Jehoshaphat appointed certain Levites and priests and heads of families of Israel to give judgment for the Lord and to decide disputed cases. They had their seat at Jerusalem.(F) 9 He charged them, “This is how you shall act: in the fear of the Lord, in faithfulness, and with your whole heart;(G) 10 whenever a case comes to you from your kindred who live in their cities concerning bloodshed, law or commandment, statutes or ordinances, then you shall instruct them, so that they may not incur guilt before the Lord and wrath may not come on you and your kindred. Do so, and you will not incur guilt.(H) 11 See, Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of the Lord; and Zebadiah son of Ishmael, the governor of the house of Judah, in all the king’s matters; and the Levites will serve you as officers. Deal courageously, and may the Lord be with the good!”(I)
Footnotes
- 19.3 Or Asherahs
2 Chronicles 19
English Standard Version
Jehoshaphat's Reforms
19 Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned in safety to his house in Jerusalem. 2 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. 3 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.”
4 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. 5 He appointed (J)judges in the land in all (K)the fortified cities of Judah, city by city, 6 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. 7 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.”
8 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. 9 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
- 2 Chronicles 19:11 Hebrew the good
New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.