19:1 When Jehoshaphat king of Judah returned safely to his palace in Jerusalem,
19:2 Jehu the seer, the son of Hanani, went out to meet him and said to the king, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? Because of this, the wrath of the LORD is upon you.
19:3 There is, however, some good in you, for you have rid the land of the Asherah poles and have set your heart on seeking God.”
19:4 Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem, and he went out again among the people from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim and turned them back to the LORD, the God of their fathers.
19:5 He appointed judges in the land, in each of the fortified cities of Judah.
19:6 He told them, “Consider carefully what you do, because you are not judging for man but for the LORD, who is with you whenever you give a verdict.
19:7 Now let the fear of the LORD be upon you. Judge carefully, for with the LORD our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery.”
19:8 In Jerusalem also, Jehoshaphat appointed some of the Levites, priests and heads of Israelite families to administer the law of the LORD and to settle disputes. And they lived in Jerusalem.
19:9 He gave them these orders: “You must serve faithfully and wholeheartedly in the fear of the LORD.
19:10 In every case that comes before you from your fellow countrymen who live in the cities–whether bloodshed or other concerns of the law, commands, decrees or ordinances–you are to warn them not to sin against the LORD; otherwise his wrath will come on you and your brothers. Do this, and you will not sin.
19:11 “Amariah the chief priest will be over you in any matter concerning the LORD, and Zebadiah son of Ishmael, the leader of the tribe of Judah, will be over you in any matter concerning the king, and the Levites will serve as officials before you. Act with courage, and may the LORD be with those who do well.”
19:1 Then Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned to his house in Jerusalem in peace.
19:2 And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him; and he said to King Jehoshaphat, Should you help the wicked and love those who hate Jehovah? Because of this matter wrath has come upon you from Jehovah.
19:3 Nevertheless there are some good things found in you, for you have purged the Asherahs out of the land and have set your heart to pursue God.
19:4 And Jehoshaphat dwelt in Jerusalem. And he went out again among the people, from Beer-sheba to the hill country of Ephraim, and brought them back to Jehovah, the God of their fathers.
19:5 And he set up judges in the land throughout all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city.
19:6 And he said to the judges, Consider what you are doing, for you judge not for man but for Jehovah, and He is with you in pronouncing judgment.
19:7 Now therefore let the fear of Jehovah be upon you; be careful how you act, for there is no iniquity with Jehovah our God, nor respect of persons, nor the taking of bribes.
19:8 And also in Jerusalem Jehoshaphat set up some of the Levites and priests and heads of the fathers’ houses in Israel for the judgment of Jehovah and for disputes. And they came back to Jerusalem.
19:9 And he commanded them, saying, Thus shall you do in the fear of Jehovah, faithfully and with a perfect heart.
19:10 And for every dispute that comes to you from among your brothers who dwell in their cities, whether concerning bloodshed or concerning law or commandment, statute or ordinance, you shall warn them, so that they are not guilty before Jehovah and so that wrath does not come upon you and your brothers. Thus shall you act, and you will not be guilty.
19:11 And now Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters concerning Jehovah; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, is over you in all matters concerning the king. And the Levites will serve before you as officers. Be strong and take action, and may Jehovah be with the good.
