| New King James Version | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 1Then Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned safely to his house in Jerusalem. | 1Jehoshaphat king of Judah returned to his home in Jerusalem in peace. |
| 2And 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? Therefore the wrath of the LORD is upon you. | 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. |
| 3Nevertheless good things are found in you, in that you have removed the wooden images from the land, and have prepared your heart to seek God.” | 3However, some good is found in you, for you have removed the Asherah poles from the land and have decided to seek God." |
| 4So Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem; and he went out again among the people from Beersheba to the mountains of Ephraim, and brought them back to the LORD God of their fathers. | 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. |
| 5Then he set judges in the land throughout all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city, | 5He appointed judges in all the fortified cities of the land of Judah, city by city. |
| 6and said to the judges, “Take heed to what you are doing, for you do not judge for man but for the LORD, who is with you in the judgment. | 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. |
| 7Now therefore, let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take care and do it, for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, no partiality, nor taking of bribes.” | 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." |
| 8Moreover in Jerusalem, for the judgment of the LORD and for controversies, Jehoshaphat appointed some of the Levites and priests, and some of the chief fathers of Israel, when they returned to Jerusalem. | 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. |
| 9And he commanded them, saying, “Thus you shall act in the fear of the LORD, faithfully and with a loyal heart: | 9He commanded them, saying, "In the fear of the LORD, with integrity, and with a whole heart, you are to do the following: |
| 10Whatever case comes to you from your brethren who dwell in their cities, whether of bloodshed or offenses against law or commandment, against statutes or ordinances, you shall warn them, lest they trespass against the LORD and wrath come upon you and your brethren. Do this, and you will not be guilty. | 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. |
| 11And take notice: Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of the LORD; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, for all the king’s matters; also the Levites will be officials before you. Behave courageously, and the LORD will be with the good.” | 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." |
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