Jehoshaphat Reproved by Jehu

1And Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned safely to his house in Jerusalem. 2And Jehu son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and he said to King Jehoshaphat, “Should you be giving help to the wicked, and those hating YHWH would you love? And for this, wrath is upon you from before the face of YHWH. 3But good things are found in you, in that you have removed the Asherah poles from the land, and you have established your heart to seek God.”

Jehoshaphat’s Reforms

4And Jehoshaphat dwelt in Jerusalem. And he turned back and went out among the people from Beersheba to the mountains of Ephraim, and he brought them back to YHWH, God of their fathers. 5And he set judges in the land throughout all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city, 6and he said to the judges, “See to what you⁺ are doing, for not for man do you⁺ judge, but for YHWH, who is with you⁺ in the matter of judgment. 7And now let the dread of YHWH be upon you⁺; take care and do it, for not with YHWH our God are iniquity and lifting up of faces and taking of a bribe.”

8And also in Jerusalem Jehoshaphat appointed from the Levites, and the priests, and from the heads of the fathers of Israel, for the judgment of YHWH and for controversies; and they returned to Jerusalem. 9And he commanded them, saying, “Thus you⁺ shall do in the fear of YHWH, in faithfulness, and with a perfect heart. 10And any case that comes to you⁺ from your⁺ brothers who dwell in their cities, whether of bloodshed or offenses against law or commandment, against statutes or ordinances, you⁺ shall warn them, lest they trespass against YHWH and wrath come upon you⁺ and your⁺ brothers. Thus do, and you⁺ will not be guilty.

11And behold, Amariah is the chief priest over you⁺ in all matters of YHWH, and Zebadiah son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, in all matters of the king. And the Levites are officials before you⁺. Be strong and act, and YHWH will be with the good one.”