E4.org

2 Chronicles 19

Jehoshaphat’s Reforms

1 Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned in safety to his house in Jerusalem. 2 But ^aJehu the son of ^bHanani ^cthe seer went out to meet him and said to King Jehoshaphat, “Should you ^dhelp the wicked and love those who hate the Lord? Because of this, ^ewrath has gone out against you from the Lord. 3 Nevertheless ^fsome good is found in you, for ^gyou destroyed the Asheroth out of the land, and have ^hset your heart to seek God.”

4 Jehoshaphat lived at Jerusalem. And he went out again among the people, from Beersheba to ⁱthe hill country of Ephraim, and brought them back to the Lord, the God of their fathers. 5 He appointed ^jjudges in the land in all ^kthe fortified cities of Judah, city by city, 6 and said to the judges, “Consider what you do, ^lfor you judge not for man but for the Lord. He is with you in giving judgment. 7 Now then, let the fear of the Lord be upon you. Be careful what you do, for ^mthere is no injustice with the Lord our God ⁿor partiality or taking bribes.”

8 Moreover, in Jerusalem Jehoshaphat ^oappointed certain Levites and priests and heads of families of Israel ^pto give judgment for the Lord and to decide disputed cases. They had their seat at Jerusalem. 9 And he charged them: ^q“Thus you shall do in the fear of the Lord, in faithfulness, ^rand with your whole heart: 10 ^swhenever a case comes to you from your brothers who live in their cities, concerning bloodshed, law or commandment, statutes or rules, then you shall warn them, that they may not incur guilt before the Lord and ^twrath may not come upon you and your brothers. Thus you shall do, and you will not incur guilt. 11 And behold, Amariah the chief priest is over you ^uin all matters of the Lord; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the governor of the house of Judah, in all the king’s matters, and the Levites will serve you as officers. ^vDeal courageously, and may the Lord be with the upright!” ^{▼

▼
Hebrew the good}