1 K ing Jehoshaphat of Judah returned in peace to his house in Jerusalem.

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

2 J ehu the son of Hanani the man who tells what will happen in the future went out to meet King Jehoshaphat, and said to him, “Should you help the sinful? Should you love those who hate the Lord? Because of this, the Lord is angry with you.

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 and so bring wrath on yourself from the Lord ?

3 B ut there is some good in you. For you have destroyed from the land the false goddess Asherah. And you have set your heart to follow God.” The Changes Made by Jehoshaphat

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

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

So 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

5 H e chose judges in the land in all the strong cities of Judah, city by city.

He appointed judges in the land in all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city.

6 A nd he said to the judges, “Think about what you do. For you do not judge for man, but for the Lord. He is with you when you judge between right and wrong.

He 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.

7 S o now let the fear of the Lord be upon you. Be very careful what you do. For the Lord our God will have nothing to do with what is not right and good, or with what is not fair, or with taking pay for doing what is wrong.”

Now 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.”

8 I n Jerusalem also Jehoshaphat chose some of the Levites and religious leaders, and heads of families of Israel. He chose them to judge for the Lord, and to judge the troubles among the people of Jerusalem.

In 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.

9 T hen he told them what they must do. He said, “Do this in the fear of the Lord. Be faithful, and do your duty with your whole heart.

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

10 W henever trouble comes to you between your brothers who live in the cities, between blood and blood, between one law and another, tell them not to sin before the Lord, so God’s anger may not come upon you and your brothers. Do this, and you will not be guilty.

Whenever 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.

11 S ee, Amariah the head religious leader will be over you in everything that has to do with the Lord. And Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the family of Judah, will be over you in everything that has to do with the king. The Levites will work for you as leaders. Be strong in what you do, and the Lord will be with the good.”

Behold, 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.”