19:1 Then Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned in safety to his house in Jerusalem.
19:2 And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him and said to King Jehoshaphat, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD, and ①by doing so bring wrath on yourself from the LORD?
▷ ①Lit by this
19:3 But ①there is some good in you, for you have removed the ②Asheroth from the land and you have set your heart to seek God.”
▷ ①Lit good things are found ②I.e., wooden symbols of a female deity
19:4 So Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem and went out again among the people from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim, and brought them back to the LORD, the God of their fathers.
19:5 He appointed judges in the land in all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city.
19:6 He said to the judges, “Consider what you are doing, for you do not judge for mankind but for the LORD who is with you ①when you render judgment.
▷ ①Lit in the word of judgment
19:7 Now then, let the fear of the LORD be upon you; be careful ①about what you do, for ②the LORD our God will have no part in injustice or partiality, or in the taking of a bribe.”
▷ ①Lit and do ②Lit it is not with the LORD our God
19:8 In Jerusalem Jehoshaphat also appointed some of the Levites and priests, and some of the heads of the fathers’ households of Israel, for the judgment of the LORD, and ①to judge disputes among the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
▷ ①As in ancient versions; MT for the dispute. And they returned to Jerusalem; or And they lived in Jerusalem
19:9 Then he commanded them, saying, “This is what you shall do in the fear of the LORD, faithfully and wholeheartedly.
19:10 Whenever any dispute comes to you from your countrymen who live in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and ordinances, you shall warn them so that they will not be guilty before the LORD, and wrath will not come on you and your countrymen. This you shall do and you will not be guilty.
19:11 Behold, Amariah the chief priest will be over you in every matter ①that pertains to the LORD, and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, in all that pertains to the king. Also the Levites shall be officers before you. ②Act resolutely, and may the LORD be with the upright.”
▷ ①Lit of ②Lit Be strong and do