1 J ehoshaphat the king of Judah returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem.

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 Yahweh? Because of this, wrath is on you from before Yahweh.

Jehu son of Hanani, the seer, went out to meet him and said to Jehoshaphat, Should you help the ungodly and love those who hate the Lord? Because of this, wrath has gone out against you from the Lord.

3 N evertheless there are good things found in you, in that you have put away the Asheroth out of the land, and have set your heart to seek God.”

But there are good things found in you, for you have destroyed the Asherim out of the land and have set your heart to seek God.

4 J ehoshaphat lived at Jerusalem: and he went out again among the people from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim, and brought them back to Yahweh, the God of their fathers.

Jehoshaphat dwelt 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 H e set judges in the land throughout all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city,

He appointed judges throughout all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city,

6 a nd said to the judges, “Consider what you do: for you don’t judge for man, but for Yahweh; and he is with you in the judgment.

And said to the judges, Be careful what you do, for you judge not for man but for the Lord, and He is with you in the matter of judgment.

7 N ow therefore let the fear of Yahweh be on you. Take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with Yahweh our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of bribes.”

So now let the reverence and fear of the Lord be upon you; take heed what you do, for there is no injustice with the Lord our God, or partiality or taking of bribes.

8 M oreover in Jerusalem Jehoshaphat appointed Levites and priests, and of the heads of the fathers’ households of Israel, for the judgment of Yahweh, and for controversies. They returned to Jerusalem.

Also in Jerusalem, Jehoshaphat set certain Levites, priests, and heads of families of Israel to give judgment for the Lord and decide controversies. When they returned to Jerusalem,

9 H e commanded them, saying, “Thus you shall do in the fear of Yahweh, faithfully, and with a perfect heart.

The king charged them, Do this in the fear of the Lord, faithfully, with integrity and a blameless heart.

10 W henever any controversy shall come to you from your brothers who dwell in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and ordinances, you shall warn them, that they not be guilty towards Yahweh, and so wrath come on you and on your brothers. Do this, and you shall not be guilty.

Whenever any controversy shall come to you from your brethren who dwell in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and judgments, you shall warn and instruct them that they may not be guilty before the Lord; otherwise wrath will come upon you and your brethren. Do this and you will not be guilty.

11 B ehold, Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of Yahweh; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, in all the king’s matters: also the Levites shall be officers before you. Deal courageously, and may Yahweh be with the good.”

And behold, Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of the Lord, and Zebadiah son of Ishmael, the governor of the house of Judah, in all the king’s matters; also the Levites will serve you as officers. Deal courageously, and may the Lord be with the good!