2 Imilando 19
1 UJehoshafathi inkosi yakoJuda wasebuyela endlini yakhe ngokuthula eJerusalema.
Once Jehoshaphat had arrived safely home in Jerusalem,
2 UJehu indodana kaHanani umboni wasephuma ukumhlangabeza, wathi enkosini uJehoshafathi: Unganceda yini omubi, uthande labo abazonda iNkosi? Ngenxa yalokhu-ke kulolaka phezu kwakho oluvela ebusweni beNkosi.
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 Loba kunjalo izinto ezinhle zitholwe kuwe, ngoba ususile izixuku elizweni, walungisa inhliziyo yakho ukumdinga uNkulunkulu.
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 UJehoshafathi wasehlala eJerusalema; wabuya waphuma wahamba phakathi kwabantu, kusukela eBherishebha kusiya entabeni yakoEfrayimi, wababuyisela eNkosini, uNkulunkulu waboyise.
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 Wasemisa abahluleli elizweni kuyo yonke imizi ebiyelweyo yakoJuda, kumuzi ngomuzi.
He appointed judges throughout the country, in all of the fortified towns of Judah.
6 Wasesithi kubahluleli: Bonani elikwenzayo, ngoba kalehluleleli umuntu kodwa iNkosi, elani endabeni yokwahlulela.
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 Ngakho-ke uvalo ngeNkosi kalube phezu kwenu, linanzelele likwenze, ngoba eNkosini uNkulunkulu wethu kakulabubi lokukhangela ubuso lokwemukela izivalamlomo.
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 Futhi leJerusalema uJehoshafathi wasemisa abanye kumaLevi labapristi lakunhloko zaboyise zakoIsrayeli kusahlulelo seNkosi lakumibango, sebebuyele eJerusalema.
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 Wasebalaya esithi: Lizakwenza njalo ekuyesabeni iNkosi, ngobuqotho langenhliziyo epheleleyo.
He gave them these orders, “You must honor God, and act with faithfulness and complete commitment.
10 Lawuphi umbango oza kini ovela kubafowenu abahlala emizini yabo, phakathi kwegazi legazi, phakathi komthetho lomlayo, izimiso lezahlulelo, lizabaxwayisa ukuze bangabi lecala eNkosini, lolaka lwehlele phezu kwenu laphezu kwabafowenu. Lizakwenza njalo, futhi lingabi lacala.
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 Khangelani-ke, uAmariya umpristi oyinhloko uphezu kwenu kulo lonke udaba lukaJehova, loZebhadiya indodana kaIshmayeli, umbusi wendlu yakoJuda, kulo lonke udaba lwenkosi; labaphathi amaLevi baphambi kwenu. Qinani likwenze; iNkosi-ke izakuba lolungileyo.
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.”
