2 Chronicles 19

The Rebuke of Jehu the Seer

1Jehoshaphat king of Judah came back safe to his house in Jerusalem, 2and Jehu son of Hanani the seer went out to face him. He said to King Jehoshaphat, “Is the wicked man the one to help? Are the enemies of Yahweh the ones to love? For this there is wrath upon you from Yahweh. 3Yet some good has been found in you: you cleared the Asherah poles out of the land and set your heart on seeking God.” 4Jehoshaphat took up residence in Jerusalem, and once more he went out among the people, from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim, turning them back to Yahweh, the God of their ancestors.

Judges Set Over the Land

5He installed judges in the land, in each of the fortified cities of Judah, city by city, 6and he said to the judges: “Watch what you are doing. You are not judging for a man but for Yahweh, and he is with you whenever you give a ruling. 7So now, let the dread of Yahweh be on you. Be careful how you act, for with Yahweh our God there is no injustice, no favouritism, no taking of bribes.” 8In Jerusalem too Jehoshaphat installed some of the Levites and priests and heads of Israel’s ancestral houses, for the judgments of Yahweh and for disputes. And they came back to Jerusalem. 9He charged them: “Act in the fear of Yahweh, faithfully, with a whole heart. 10In every dispute that reaches you from your kinsmen living in their own cities — bloodshed against bloodshed, instruction against commandment, statutes or rulings — you are to warn them, so that they do not become guilty before Yahweh and wrath fall on you and on your kinsmen. Act this way and you will not become guilty. 11Look: Amariah the chief priest is over you in every matter of Yahweh, and Zebadiah son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, in every matter of the king; and the Levites will serve you as officers. Be strong and act, and may Yahweh be with whoever does right.”