| Berean Study Bible | Christian Standard Bible |
| 1When Jehoshaphat king of Judah had returned safely to his home in Jerusalem, | 1King Jehoshaphat of Judah returned to his home in Jerusalem in peace. |
| 2Jehu son of Hanani the seer went out to confront him and said to King Jehoshaphat, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? Because of this, the wrath of the LORD is upon you. | 2Then Jehu son of the seer Hanani went out to confront him and said to King Jehoshaphat, "Do you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? Because of this, the LORD's wrath is on you. |
| 3However, some good is found in you, for you have removed the Asherah poles from the land and have set your heart on seeking God.” | 3However, some good is found in you, for you have eradicated the Asherah poles from the land and have decided to seek God." |
| 4Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem, and once again he went out among the people from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim and turned them back to the LORD, the God of their fathers. | 4Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem, and once again he went out among the people from Beer-sheba to the hill country of Ephraim and brought them back to the LORD, the God of their ancestors. |
| 5He appointed judges in the land, in each of the fortified cities of Judah. | 5He appointed judges in all the fortified cities of the land of Judah, city by city. |
| 6Then he said to the judges, “Consider carefully what you do, for you are not judging for man, but for the LORD, who is with you when you render judgment. | 6Then he said to the judges, "Consider what you are doing, for you do not judge for a mere mortal, but for the LORD, who is with you in the matter of judgment. |
| 7And now, may the fear of the LORD be upon you. Be careful what you do, for with the LORD our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery.” | 7And now, may the terror of the LORD be on you. Watch what you do, for there is no injustice or partiality or taking bribes with the LORD our God." |
| 8Moreover, Jehoshaphat appointed in Jerusalem some of the Levites, priests, and heads of the Israelite families to judge on behalf of the LORD and to settle disputes. And they lived in Jerusalem. | 8Jehoshaphat also appointed in Jerusalem some of the Levites and priests and some of the Israelite family heads for deciding the LORD's will and for settling disputes of the residents of Jerusalem. |
| 9He commanded them, saying, “You must serve faithfully and wholeheartedly in the fear of the LORD. | 9He commanded them, saying, "In the fear of the LORD, with integrity, and wholeheartedly, you are to do the following: |
| 10For every dispute that comes before you from your brothers who dwell in their cities—whether it regards bloodshed or some other violation of law, commandments, statutes, or ordinances—you are to warn them, so that they will not incur guilt before the LORD and wrath will not come upon you and your brothers. Do this, and you will not incur guilt. | 10For every dispute that comes to you from your brothers who dwell in their cities--whether it regards differences of bloodguilt, law, commandment, statutes, or judgments--you are to warn them, so they will not incur guilt before the LORD and wrath will not come on you and your brothers. Do this, and you will not incur guilt. |
| 11Note that Amariah, the chief priest, will be over you in all that pertains to the LORD, and Zebadiah son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, in all that pertains to the king. And the Levites will serve as officers before you. Act resolutely; may the LORD be with the upright!” | 11"Note that Amariah, the chief priest, is over you in all matters related to the LORD, and Zebadiah son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, in all matters related to the king, and the Levites are officers in your presence. Be strong; may the LORD be with those who do what is good." |
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