1 A nd Jehoshaphat king of Judah turneth back unto his house in peace to Jerusalem,

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

2 a nd go out unto his presence doth Jehu son of Hanani, the seer, and saith unto king Jehoshaphat, `To give help to the wicked, and to those hating Jehovah, dost thou love? and for this against thee wrath from before Jehovah,

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 good things have been found with thee, for thou hast put away the shrines out of the land, and hast prepared thy heart to seek God.'

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 A nd Jehoshaphat dwelleth in Jerusalem, and he turneth back and goeth out among the people from Beer-Sheba unto the hill-country of Ephraim, and bringeth them back unto Jehovah, 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 A nd he establisheth judges in the land, in all the fenced cities of Judah, for every city,

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

6 a nd saith unto the judges, `See what ye are doing -- for not for man do ye judge, but for Jehovah, who with you in the matter of judgment;

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 a nd now, let fear of Jehovah be upon you, observe and do, for there is not with Jehovah our God perverseness, and acceptance of faces, and taking of a bribe.'

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 A nd also in Jerusalem hath Jehoshaphat appointed of the Levites, and of the priests, and of the heads of the fathers of Israel, for the judgment of Jehovah, and for strife; and they turn back to 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 a nd he layeth a charge upon them, saying, `Thus do ye do in the fear of Jehovah, in faithfulness, and with a perfect heart,

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

10 a nd any strife that cometh in unto you of your brethren who are dwelling in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and command, statutes, and judgments, then ye have warned them and they become not guilty before Jehovah, and wrath hath not been on you and on your brethren; thus do ye do, and ye are not 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 ` And, lo, Amariah the head priest over you for every matter of Jehovah, and Zebadiah son of Ishmael, the leader of the house of Judah, for every matter of the king, and officers the Levites before you; be strong and do, and Jehovah is 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.”