| Holman Christian Standard Bible | International Standard Version |
| 1Jehoshaphat king of Judah returned to his home in Jerusalem in peace. | 1After this, King Jehoshaphat of Judah returned safely to his palace in Jerusalem, |
| 2Then Jehu son of Hanani the seer went out to confront him and said to King Jehoshaphat, "Do you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? Because of this, the LORD's wrath is on you. | 2where Hanani's son Jehu, the seer, went out to meet him. He asked king Jehoshaphat, "Should you be helping those who are wicked, yes or no? Should you love those who hate the LORD? Wrath is headed your way directly from the LORD because of this. |
| 3However, some good is found in you, for you have removed the Asherah poles from the land and have decided to seek God." | 3Nevertheless, a few good things have been found in you, in that you have removed the Asheroth from the land and you have disciplined yourself to seek God." |
| 4Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem, and once again he went out among the people from Beer-sheba to the hill country of Ephraim and brought them back to Yahweh, the God of their ancestors. | 4Jehoshaphat continued to live in Jerusalem, but he travelled again throughout the people from Beer-sheba to Mount Ephraim, bringing them back to the LORD God of their ancestors |
| 5He appointed judges in all the fortified cities of the land of Judah, city by city. | 5and appointing judges throughout the land in all of the walled cities of Judah, city by city. He issued this reminder to the judges: |
| 6Then 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 in the matter of judgment. | 6"Pay careful attention to your duties, because you are judging not only for the sake of human beings but also for the Lord—and he is present with you as you make your rulings. |
| 7And now, may the terror of the LORD be on you. Watch what you do, for there is no injustice or partiality or taking bribes with the LORD our God." | 7So let the fear of the Lord rest upon you, be on your guard, and act carefully, because with the LORD our God there is neither injustice, nor partiality, nor bribery." |
| 8Jehoshaphat also appointed in Jerusalem some of the Levites and priests and some of the heads of the Israelite families for deciding the LORD's will and for settling disputes of the residents of Jerusalem. | 8In Jerusalem, Jehoshaphat also appointed certain descendants of Levi, priests, and family leaders of Israel to render verdicts for the LORD and to decide difficult cases. Their offices were in Jerusalem. |
| 9He commanded them, saying, "In the fear of the LORD, with integrity, and with a whole heart, you are to do the following: | 9He issued this reminder to them: "You are to carry out your duties in the fear of the LORD, serving him faithfully with your whole heart. |
| 10for every dispute that comes to you from your brothers who dwell in their cities--whether it regards differences of bloodguilt, law, commandment, statutes, or judgments--you are to warn them, so they will not incur guilt before the LORD and wrath will not come on you and your brothers. Do this, and you will not incur guilt. | 10No matter what case comes before you from your fellow citizens who live in their own cities, whether it's a dispute between blood relatives or a dispute regarding the Law and the commands, statutes, or verdicts, you are to warn the parties so that they do not become guilty in the LORD's presence and so that anger does not come upon you and your fellow citizens. |
| 11"Note that Amariah, the chief priest, is over you in all matters related to the LORD, and Zebadiah son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, in all matters related to the king, and the Levites are officers in your presence. Be strong; may the LORD be with those who do what is good." | 11Take notice, please, that Amariah the Chief Priest is presiding over all cases that pertain to the LORD, Ishmael's son Zebadiah is presiding as ruler of the household of Judah with respect to all cases that pertain to the national government, and the descendants of Levi will preside over your other civil cases. Serve courageously, and the LORD will be with the upright." |
|
