| New American Standard Bible 1995 | English Standard Version |
| 1So Abijah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David, and his son Asa became king in his place. The land was undisturbed for ten years during his days. | 1Abijah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David. And Asa his son reigned in his place. In his days the land had rest for ten years. |
| 2Asa did good and right in the sight of the LORD his God, | 2And Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God. |
| 3for he removed the foreign altars and high places, tore down the sacred pillars, cut down the Asherim, | 3He took away the foreign altars and the high places and broke down the pillars and cut down the Asherim |
| 4and commanded Judah to seek the LORD God of their fathers and to observe the law and the commandment. | 4and commanded Judah to seek the LORD, the God of their fathers, and to keep the law and the commandment. |
| 5He also removed the high places and the incense altars from all the cities of Judah. And the kingdom was undisturbed under him. | 5He also took out of all the cities of Judah the high places and the incense altars. And the kingdom had rest under him. |
| 6He built fortified cities in Judah, since the land was undisturbed, and there was no one at war with him during those years, because the LORD had given him rest. | 6He built fortified cities in Judah, for the land had rest. He had no war in those years, for the LORD gave him peace. |
| 7For he said to Judah, "Let us build these cities and surround them with walls and towers, gates and bars. The land is still ours because we have sought the LORD our God; we have sought Him, and He has given us rest on every side." So they built and prospered. | 7And he said to Judah, “Let us build these cities and surround them with walls and towers, gates and bars. The land is still ours, because we have sought the LORD our God. We have sought him, and he has given us peace on every side.” So they built and prospered. |
| 8Now Asa had an army of 300,000 from Judah, bearing large shields and spears, and 280,000 from Benjamin, bearing shields and wielding bows; all of them were valiant warriors. | 8And Asa had an army of 300,000 from Judah, armed with large shields and spears, and 280,000 men from Benjamin that carried shields and drew bows. All these were mighty men of valor. |
| 9Now Zerah the Ethiopian came out against them with an army of a million men and 300 chariots, and he came to Mareshah. | 9Zerah the Ethiopian came out against them with an army of a million men and 300 chariots, and came as far as Mareshah. |
| 10So Asa went out to meet him, and they drew up in battle formation in the valley of Zephathah at Mareshah. | 10And Asa went out to meet him, and they drew up their lines of battle in the Valley of Zephathah at Mareshah. |
| 11Then Asa called to the LORD his God and said, "LORD, there is no one besides You to help in the battle between the powerful and those who have no strength; so help us, O LORD our God, for we trust in You, and in Your name have come against this multitude. O LORD, You are our God; let not man prevail against You." | 11And Asa cried to the LORD his God, “O LORD, there is none like you to help, between the mighty and the weak. Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this multitude. O LORD, you are our God; let not man prevail against you.” |
| 12So the LORD routed the Ethiopians before Asa and before Judah, and the Ethiopians fled. | 12So the LORD defeated the Ethiopians before Asa and before Judah, and the Ethiopians fled. |
| 13Asa and the people who were with him pursued them as far as Gerar; and so many Ethiopians fell that they could not recover, for they were shattered before the LORD and before His army. And they carried away very much plunder. | 13Asa and the people who were with him pursued them as far as Gerar, and the Ethiopians fell until none remained alive, for they were broken before the LORD and his army. The men of Judah carried away very much spoil. |
| 14They destroyed all the cities around Gerar, for the dread of the LORD had fallen on them; and they despoiled all the cities, for there was much plunder in them. | 14And they attacked all the cities around Gerar, for the fear of the LORD was upon them. They plundered all the cities, for there was much plunder in them. |
| 15They also struck down those who owned livestock, and they carried away large numbers of sheep and camels. Then they returned to Jerusalem. | 15And they struck down the tents of those who had livestock and carried away sheep in abundance and camels. Then they returned to Jerusalem. |
| New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit //www.lockman.org | ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved. |
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