⁵ He appointed ^(A)judges in the land in all ^(B)the fortified cities of Judah, city by city, ⁶ and said to the judges, “Consider what you do, ^(C)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 ^(D)there is no injustice with the Lord our God, ^(E)or partiality or taking bribes.”

⁸ Moreover, in Jerusalem Jehoshaphat ^(F)appointed certain Levites and priests and heads of families of Israel, ^(G)to give judgment for the Lord and to decide disputed cases. They had their seat at Jerusalem. ⁹ And he charged them: ^(H)“Thus you shall do in the fear of the Lord, in faithfulness, ^(I)and with your whole heart: ^10 (J)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 ^(K)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 ^(L)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. ^(M)Deal courageously, and may the Lord be with the upright!”^[a]