2 Chronicles 16

1 In the thirty-sixth year of the reign of Asa, Baasha king of Israel came up against Judah, and built Ramah, —that he might let none come out or go in, unto Asa king of Judah.

In the thirty-sixth year of Asa’s reign, Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah and fortified Ramah to prevent anyone from leaving or entering the territory of Asa king of Judah.

2 So Asa brought forth silver and gold, out of the treasuries of the house of Yahweh, and the house of the king, —and sent unto Ben-hadad, king of Syria, who dwelt in Damascus, saying:

So Asa withdrew the silver and gold from the treasuries of the house of the LORD and the royal palace, and he sent it with this message to Ben-hadad king of Aram, who was ruling in Damascus:

3 [Let there be] a covenant, between me and thee, as between my father and thy father.—Lo! I have sent thee silver and gold, go break thy covenant with Baasha king of Israel, that he may go up from me.

“Let there be a treaty between me and you, between my father and your father. See, I have sent you silver and gold. Now go and break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel, so that he will withdraw from me.”

4 And Ben-hadad hearkened unto King Asa, and sent the chieftains of the forces which he had, against the cities of Israel, and smote Ijon and Dan, and Abel-maim, —and all the storehouses of the cities of Naphtali.

And Ben-hadad listened to King Asa and sent the commanders of his armies against the cities of Israel, conquering Ijon, Dan, Abel-maim, and all the store cities of Naphtali.

5 And it cams to pass, when Baasha heard it, he left off building Ramah, —and let his work cease.

When Baasha learned of this, he stopped fortifying Ramah and abandoned his work.

6 And, Asa the king, took all Judah, and they carried away the stones of Ramah, and the timbers thereof, which Baasha had used in building, —and he built therewith, Geba and Mizpah.

Then King Asa brought all the men of Judah, and they carried away the stones of Ramah and the timbers Baasha had used for building. And with these materials he built up Geba and Mizpah.

7 And, at that time, came Hanani the seer, unto Asa the king of Judah, —and said unto him, Because thou hast leaned upon the king of Syria, and hast not leaned upon Yahweh thy God, for this cause, hath the force of the king of Syria escaped out of thy hand.

At that time Hanani the seer came to King Asa of Judah and told him, “Because you have relied on the king of Aram and not on the LORD your God, the army of the king of Aram has escaped from your hand.

8 Were not, the Ethiopians and the Lybians, a huge host, with chariots and horsemen exceeding many? yet, because thou didst lean upon Yahweh, he delivered them into thy hand.

Were not the Cushites and Libyans a vast army with many chariots and horsemen? Yet because you relied on the LORD, He delivered them into your hand.

9 For, as touching Yahweh, [seeing that], his eyes, are ever running to and fro throughout all the earth, to shew himself strong with them who are perfect toward himself, thou hast made thyself foolish over this, —for, from henceforth, there shall be with thee—wars.

For the eyes of the LORD roam to and fro over all the earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are fully devoted to Him. You have acted foolishly in this matter. From now on, therefore, you will be at war.”

10 Then was Asa angry with the seer, and put him in the house of the stocks, for he was in a rage with him, over this, —and Asa oppressed some of the people, at that time.

Asa was angry with the seer and became so enraged over this matter that he put the man in prison. And at the same time Asa oppressed some of the people.

11 But lo! the story of Asa, first and last, there it is, written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.

Now the rest of the acts of Asa, from beginning to end, are indeed written in the Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel.

12 And Asa became diseased—in the thirty-ninth year of his reign—in his feet, exceedingly severe, was his disease, —yet, even in his disease, he sought not Yahweh, but unto physicians.

In the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa became diseased in his feet, and his malady became increasingly severe. Yet even in his illness he did not seek the LORD, but only the physicians.

13 And Asa slept with his fathers, —yea he died in the forty-first year of his reign;

So in the forty-first year of his reign, Asa died and rested with his fathers.

14 and they buried him in his own stately sepulchre, which he had hewn for himself in the city of David, and laid him on a couch which was full of sweet spices—yea of various kinds, made by the perfumer’s art, —and they burned for him with an exceeding great burning.

And he was buried in the tomb that he had cut out for himself in the City of David. They laid him on a bier that was full of spices and various blended perfumes; then they made a great fire in his honor.