³ He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, but not as his father David had done. In everything he followed the example of his father Joash.

¹⁸ For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed^(A) from the empty way of life^(B) handed down to you from your ancestors,

⁴ Do not be like your ancestors,^(A) to whom the earlier prophets^(B) proclaimed: This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Turn from your evil ways^(C) and your evil practices.’ But they would not listen or pay attention to me,^(D) declares the Lord.^{(E) 5} Where are your ancestors now? And the prophets, do they live forever? ⁶ But did not my words^(F) and my decrees, which I commanded my servants the prophets, overtake your ancestors?^(G)

“Then they repented and said, ‘The Lord Almighty has done to us what our ways and practices deserve,^(H) just as he determined to do.’”^(I)

¹⁴ When Amaziah returned from slaughtering the Edomites, he brought back the gods of the people of Seir. He set them up as his own gods,^(A) bowed down to them and burned sacrifices to them. ¹⁵ The anger of the Lord burned against Amaziah, and he sent a prophet to him, who said, “Why do you consult this people’s gods, which could not save^(B) their own people from your hand?”

¹⁶ While he was still speaking, the king said to him, “Have we appointed you an adviser to the king? Stop! Why be struck down?”

So the prophet stopped but said, “I know that God has determined to destroy you, because you have done this and have not listened to my counsel.”

² He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, but not wholeheartedly.^{(A) 3} After the kingdom was firmly in his control, he executed the officials who had murdered his father the king.

The Wickedness of Joash

¹⁷ After the death of Jehoiada, the officials of Judah came and paid homage to the king, and he listened to them.

² Joash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord^(A) all the years of Jehoiada the priest.

² Joash did what was right^(A) in the eyes of the Lord all the years Jehoiada the priest instructed him.