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

Then Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned safely to his house in Jerusalem.

2 J ehu 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 and so bring wrath on yourself from the Lord ?

And 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 ? Therefore the wrath of the Lord is upon you.

3 B ut there is some good in you, for you have removed the Asheroth from the land and you have set your heart to seek God.”

Nevertheless good things are found in you, in that you have removed the wooden images from the land, and have prepared your heart to seek God.” The Reforms of Jehoshaphat

4 S o Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem and 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. Reforms Instituted

So Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem; and he went out again among the people from Beersheba to the mountains of Ephraim, and brought them back to the Lord God of their fathers.

5 H e appointed judges in the land in all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city.

Then he set judges in the land throughout all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city,

6 H e said to the judges, “Consider what you are doing, for you do not judge for man but for the Lord who is with you when you render judgment.

and said to the judges, “Take heed to what you are doing, for you do not judge for man but for the Lord, who is with you in the judgment.

7 N ow then let the fear of the Lord be upon you; be very careful what you do, for the Lord our God will have no part in unrighteousness or partiality or the taking of a bribe.”

Now therefore, let the fear of the Lord be upon you; take care and do it, for there is no iniquity with the Lord our God, no partiality, nor taking of bribes.”

8 I n Jerusalem also Jehoshaphat appointed some of the Levites and priests, and some of the heads of the fathers’ households of Israel, for the judgment of the Lord and to judge disputes among the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

Moreover in Jerusalem, for the judgment of the Lord and for controversies, Jehoshaphat appointed some of the Levites and priests, and some of the chief fathers of Israel, when they returned to Jerusalem.

9 T hen he charged them saying, “Thus you shall do in the fear of the Lord, faithfully and wholeheartedly.

And he commanded them, saying, “Thus you shall act in the fear of the Lord, faithfully and with a loyal heart:

10 W henever any dispute comes to you from your brethren who live in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and ordinances, you shall warn them so that they may not be guilty before the Lord, and wrath may not come on you and your brethren. Thus you shall do and you will not be guilty.

Whatever case comes to you from your brethren who dwell in their cities, whether of bloodshed or offenses against law or commandment, against statutes or ordinances, you shall warn them, lest they trespass against the Lord and wrath come upon you and your brethren. Do this, and you will not be guilty.

11 B ehold, Amariah the chief priest will be over you in all that pertains to the Lord, and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, in all that pertains to the king. Also the Levites shall be officers before you. Act resolutely, and the Lord be with the upright.”

And take notice: Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of the Lord; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, for all the king’s matters; also the Levites will be officials before you. Behave courageously, and the Lord will be with the good.”