2 Chronicles 20:13-19
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
13 Meanwhile, all Judah stood before the Lord, with their little ones, their wives, and their children. 14 Then the spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, in the middle of the assembly.(A) 15 He said, “Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the Lord to you: Do not fear or be dismayed at this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God’s.(B) 16 Tomorrow go down against them; they will come up by the ascent of Ziz; you will find them at the end of the valley, before the wilderness of Jeruel. 17 This battle is not for you to fight; take your position, stand still, and see the victory of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, and the Lord will be with you.”(C)
18 Then Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the Lord, worshiping the Lord.(D) 19 And the Levites of the Kohathites and the Korahites stood up to praise the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice.
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2 Chronicles 20:13-19
International Standard Version
13 All of Judah was standing in the Lord’s presence, along with their little babies, their wives, and their children.
The Prophetic Response of Jahaziel
14 Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Zechariah’s son Jahaziel, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a descendant of Levi from the descendants of Asaph in the middle of the assembly, and he said:
15 “Pay attention, everyone in Judah, in Jerusalem, and you, too, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Stop being afraid, and stop being discouraged because of this vast invasion force,[a] because the battle doesn’t belong to you, but to God. 16 Tomorrow you are to go down to attack them. Pay attention, now—they’ll be coming up near the ascent of Ziz.[b] You’ll find them at the end of the valley that looks out over the Jeruel wilderness. 17 You won’t be fighting in this battle. Take your stand, but stand still, and watch the Lord’s salvation on your behalf, Judah and Jerusalem! Never fear and never be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, since the Lord is with you.’”
18 Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face[c] to the ground, and all the assembled inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem fell face down in the Lord’s presence and worshipped the Lord. 19 Descendants of Levi from the descendants of Kohath and from the descendants of Korah stood up to praise the Lord God of Israel in a very loud voice that ascended to heaven.[d]
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- 2 Chronicles 20:15 Lit. vast multitude
- 2 Chronicles 20:16 I.e. a mountain pass extending from the Dead Sea to the Judean wilderness near Tekoa
- 2 Chronicles 20:18 Lit. nostrils
- 2 Chronicles 20:19 Lit. ascended on high
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