2 Chronicles 19
1 And Josaphat king of Juda returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem.
Once Jehoshaphat had arrived safely home in Jerusalem,
2 And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer met him, and said to him: Thou helpest the ungodly, and thou art joined in friendship with them that hate the Lord, and therefore thou didst deserve indeed the wrath of the Lord:
Jehu, son of Hanani, the seer went out to face him. He said to King Jehoshaphat, “Why are you helping the wicked? Why do you love those who hate the Lord? The Lord is angry with you because of this.
3 But good works are found in thee, because thou hast taken away the groves out of the land of Juda, and hast prepared thy heart to seek the Lord the God of thy fathers.
Even so you've done some good things such as destroying the Asherah poles throughout the country, and you have made a sincere commitment to follow God.”
4 And Josaphat dwelt at Jerusalem: and he went out again to the people from Bersabee to mount Ephraim, and brought them back to the Lord the God of their fathers.
Jehoshaphat continued living in Jerusalem, and once again he traveled among the people, from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim, to encourage them to serve the Lord, the God of their fathers.
5 And he set judges of the land in all the fenced cities of Juda, in every place.
He appointed judges throughout the country, in all of the fortified towns of Judah.
6 And charging the judges, he said: Take heed what you do: for you exercise not the judgment of man, but of the Lord: and whatsoever you judge, it shall redound to you.
He told the judges, “Be careful about what you're doing as judges, because you're not looking for the approval of people, but the approval of the Lord. He is the One with you when you give your verdict.
7 Let the fear of the Lord be with you, and do all things with diligence: for there is no iniquity with the Lord our God, a nor respect of persons, nor desire of gifts.
So then, be sure to have reverence for God, obeying him and doing what he wants, for God does not permit any kind of injustice, favoritism, or bribery.”
8 In Jerusalem also Josaphat appointed Levites, and priests and chiefs of the families of Israel, to judge the judgment and the cause of the Lord for the inhabitants thereof.
Jehoshaphat also appointed in Jerusalem some of the Levites, priests, and family heads to act as judges regarding the law of Lord and to settle disputes. They were to have their courts in Jerusalem.
9 And he charged them, saying: Thus shall you do in the fear of the Lord faithfully, and with a perfect heart.
He gave them these orders, “You must honor God, and act with faithfulness and complete commitment.
10 Every cause that shall come to you of your brethren, that dwell in their cities, between kindred and kindred, wheresoever there is question concerning the law, the commandment, the ceremonies, the justifications: shew it them, that they may not sin against the Lord, and that wrath may not come upon you and your brethren: and so doing you shall not sin.
In every case that comes before you from your people living in other towns, whether it involves murder or violations of the law, commandment, statutes, or judgments, you are to warn them not to offend the Lord so that punishment does not come upon you and your people. If you do this you will not be held guilty.
11 And Amarias the priest your high priest shell be chief in the things which regard God: and Zabadias the son of Ismahel, who is ruler in the house of Juda, shall be over those matters which belong to the king’s office: and you have before you the Levites for masters, take courage and do diligently, and the Lord will be with you in good things.
Amariah, the chief priest, will make the final decision for you in everything that relates to the Lord, and Zebadiah, son of Ishmael, the leader of the tribe of Judah, in all that relates to the king. The Levites will serve as officers to assist you. Be firm, and may the Lord be with those who do what is right.”
