1 S o Abijah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David; and Asa his son reigned in his stead. In his days the land was quiet ten years.

Abijah died and they buried him in the city of David. His son Asa became king in his place. In his days the land had peace ten years.

2 A nd Asa did that which was good and right in the eyes of Jehovah his God:

Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God.

3 f or he took away the foreign altars, and the high places, and brake down the pillars, and hewed down the Asherim,

For he put away the strange altars and high places. He tore down the pillars used in worship of false gods. And he cut down the false goddesses, the Asherim.

4 a nd commanded Judah to seek Jehovah, the God of their fathers, and to do the law and the commandment.

He told Judah to follow the Lord God of their fathers, and to obey the Laws.

5 A lso he took away out of all the cities of Judah the high places and the sun-images: and the kingdom was quiet before him.

He put the high places and the altars of special perfume away from all the cities of Judah. And the nation had rest under his rule.

6 A nd he built fortified cities in Judah; for the land was quiet, and he had no war in those years, because Jehovah had given him rest.

He built strong cities in Judah, since the land had rest. No one fought a war with him during those years, because the Lord had given him rest.

7 F or he said unto Judah, Let us build these cities, and make about them walls, and towers, gates, and bars; the land is yet before us, because we have sought Jehovah our God; we have sought him, and he hath given us rest on every side. So they built and prospered.

So he said to the people of Judah, “Let us build these cities. And let us build walls and towers around them, with iron gates. The land is still ours, because we have followed the Lord our God. We have followed Him, and He has given us rest on every side.” So they built and did well.

8 A nd Asa had an army that bare bucklers and spears, out of Judah three hundred thousand; and out of Benjamin, that bare shields and drew bows, two hundred and fourscore thousand: all these were mighty men of valor.

Asa had an army of 300, 000 men from Judah, with large battle-coverings and spears. And he had 280, 000 men from Benjamin, with battle-coverings and bows. All of them were powerful soldiers.

9 A nd there came out against them Zerah the Ethiopian with an army of a thousand thousand, and three hundred chariots; and he came unto Mareshah.

Zerah the Ethiopian came out to fight against them with an army of 1, 000, 000 men and 300 war-wagons. He came as far as Mareshah.

10 T hen Asa went out to meet him, and they set the battle in array in the valley of Zephathah at Mareshah.

So Asa went out to meet him. They made themselves ready for battle in the valley of Zephathah at Mareshah.

11 A nd Asa cried unto Jehovah his God, and said, Jehovah, there is none besides thee to help, between the mighty and him that hath no strength: help us, O Jehovah our God; for we rely on thee, and in thy name are we come against this multitude. O Jehovah, thou art our God; let not man prevail against thee.

Then Asa called to the Lord his God and said, “Lord, there is no one but You to help in the battle between the powerful and the weak. So help us, O Lord God. For we trust in You. In Your name we have come against these many people. O Lord, You are our God. Do not let any man win the fight against You.”

12 S o Jehovah smote the Ethiopians before Asa, and before Judah; and the Ethiopians fled.

So the Lord began to destroy the Ethiopians in front of Asa and the people of Judah, and the Ethiopians ran away.

13 A nd Asa and the people that were with him pursued them unto Gerar: and there fell of the Ethiopians so many that they could not recover themselves; for they were destroyed before Jehovah, and before his host; and they carried away very much booty.

Asa and the people with him went after them as far as Gerar. The Ethiopians were killed until none were left alive. They were destroyed before the Lord and His army. And they carried away many things that had belonged to the Ethiopians.

14 A nd they smote all the cities round about Gerar; for the fear of Jehovah came upon them: and they despoiled all the cities; for there was much spoil in them.

Then they destroyed all the cities around Gerar, for the fear of the Lord had come upon them. And they took everything of worth that was in the cities, for there was much left.

15 T hey smote also the tents of cattle, and carried away sheep in abundance, and camels, and returned to Jerusalem.

They destroyed the tents of the animals. And they took away many sheep and camels. Then they returned to Jerusalem.