2.Chronik 19 | New International Reader’s Version

1 Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, returned safely to his palace in Jerusalem.

2 Jehu the prophet went out to meet him. He was the son of Hanani. Jehu said to the king, ‘You shouldn’t help evil people. You shouldn’t love those who hate the LORD. The LORD is angry with you.

3 But there’s some good in you. You have removed all the poles in the land used to worship the female god named Asherah. And you have worshipped God with all your heart.’

Jehoshaphat appoints judges

4 Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem. He went out again among the people. He went from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim. He turned the people back to the LORD, the God of Israel.

5 Jehoshaphat appointed judges in the land. He put them in all the cities of Judah that had high walls around them.

6 He told the judges, ‘Think carefully about what you do. After all, you aren’t judging for human beings. You are judging for the LORD. He’s with you every time you make a decision.

7 Have respect for the LORD. Judge carefully. He is always right. He treats everyone the same. Our God doesn’t want his judges to take money from people who want special favours.’

8 In Jerusalem, Jehoshaphat chose some Levites and priests. He also chose some leaders of Israelite families. He appointed all of them to apply the law of the LORD fairly. He wanted them to decide cases. He wanted them to settle matters between people. All those judges lived in Jerusalem.

9 Here are the orders Jehoshaphat gave them. He said, ‘Have respect for the LORD. Serve him faithfully. Do it with all your heart.

10 Cases will come to you from your people who live in the other cities. The cases might be about murder or other matters dealt with by the law, commands, directions and rules. Warn the people not to sin against the LORD. If you don’t warn them, he will be angry with you and your people. Do what I say. Then you won’t sin.

11 ‘Amariah the chief priest will be over you in any matter that concerns the LORD. Zebadiah is the leader of the tribe of Judah. He is the son of Ishmael. Zebadiah will be over you in any matter that concerns the king. The Levites will serve as your officials. Be brave. And may the LORD be with those of you who do well.’

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English Standard Version

Jehoshaphat’s Reforms

1 Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned in safety to his house in Jerusalem.

2 But Jehu the 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.

3 Nevertheless, some good is found in you, for you destroyed the Asheroth out of the land, and have set your heart to seek God.”

4 Jehoshaphat lived at Jerusalem. And he went out again among the people, from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim, and brought them back to the Lord, the God of their fathers.

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 do, 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 there is no injustice with the Lord our God, or partiality or taking bribes.”

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.

9 And he charged them: “Thus you shall do in the fear of the Lord, in faithfulness, and with your whole heart:

10 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 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 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. Deal courageously, and may the Lord be with the upright!”*

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