2 Chronicles 20:13-19
Christian Standard Bible
God’s Answer
13 All Judah was standing before the Lord with their dependents, their wives, and their children. 14 In the middle of the congregation, the Spirit of the Lord came on(A) Jahaziel (son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite from Asaph’s descendants), 15 and he said, “Listen carefully, all Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and King Jehoshaphat. This is what the Lord says: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast number,(B) for the battle is not yours, but God’s.(C) 16 Tomorrow, go down against them. You will see them coming up the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the valley facing the Wilderness of Jeruel. 17 You do not have to fight this battle. Position yourselves, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord.(D) He is with you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged.(E) Tomorrow, go out to face them, for the Lord is with you.’”(F)
18 Then Jehoshaphat knelt low with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the Lord to worship him.(G) 19 Then the Levites from the sons of the Kohathites and the Korahites(H) stood up to praise the Lord God of Israel shouting loudly.
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2 Chronicles 20:13-19
New English Translation
13 All the men of Judah[a] were standing before the Lord, along with their infants, wives, and children. 14 Then in the midst of the assembly, the Lord’s Spirit came upon Jachaziel son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite and descendant of Asaph. 15 He said: “Pay attention, all you people of Judah,[b] residents of Jerusalem, and King Jehoshaphat! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Don’t be afraid and don’t panic[c] because of this huge army! For the battle is not yours, but God’s. 16 Tomorrow march down against them as[d] they come up the Ascent of Ziz. You will find them at the end of the ravine in front of the wilderness of Jeruel. 17 You will not fight in this battle. Take your positions, stand, and watch the Lord deliver you,[e] O Judah and Jerusalem. Don’t be afraid and don’t panic![f] Tomorrow march out toward them; the Lord is with you!’”
18 Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face toward the ground, and all the people of Judah[g] and the residents of Jerusalem fell down before the Lord and worshiped him.[h] 19 Then some Levites, from the Kohathites and Korahites, got up and loudly praised the Lord God of Israel.[i]
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- 2 Chronicles 20:13 tn Heb “Judah.” The words “the men of” are supplied in the translation for clarity. The Hebrew text uses the name “Judah” by metonymy for the men of Judah.
- 2 Chronicles 20:15 tn Heb “all Judah.” The words “you people of” are supplied in the translation for clarity. The Hebrew text uses the name “Judah” by metonymy for the people of Judah. Unlike the previous instance in v. 13 where infants, wives, and children are mentioned separately, this reference appears to include them all.
- 2 Chronicles 20:15 tn Or perhaps “don’t get discouraged.”
- 2 Chronicles 20:16 tn Heb “look.”
- 2 Chronicles 20:17 tn Heb “the deliverance of the Lord with you.”
- 2 Chronicles 20:17 tn Or perhaps “don’t get discouraged.”
- 2 Chronicles 20:18 tn Heb “all Judah.” The words “you people of” are supplied in the translation for clarity. See the note on the word “Judah” in v. 15.
- 2 Chronicles 20:18 tn Heb “to worship the Lord.”
- 2 Chronicles 20:19 tn Heb “arose to praise the Lord God of Israel with a very loud voice.”
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