1  And it came to pass, when the kingdom of Rehoboam was established, and he was strong, that he forsook the law of YHWH, and all Israel with him.

1  And when the kingdom of Rehoboam had been strengthened and fortified, he abandoned the law of the Lord, and all of Israel with him.

2  And it came to pass in the fifth year of king Rehoboam, that Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, because they had dealt treacherously with YHWH,

2  Then, in the fifth year of the reign of Rehoboam, Shishak, the king of Egypt, ascended against Jerusalem (for they had sinned against the Lord)

3  with twelve hundred chariots, and threescore thousand horsemen; and the people were without number that came with him out of Egypt; the Lubim, the Sukkiim, and the Ethiopians.

3  with one thousand two hundred chariots and sixty thousand horsemen. And the common people could not be numbered who had arrived with him from Egypt, namely, the Libyans, and the Troglodytes, and the Ethiopians.

4  And he took the fortified cities which pertained to Judah, and came unto Jerusalem.

4  And they obtained possession of the strong cities, which were in Juda, and came to Jerusalem.

4  And he seized the most fortified cities in Judah, and he went even to Jerusalem.

5  Now Shemaiah the prophet came to Rehoboam, and to the princes of Judah, that were gathered together to Jerusalem because of Shishak, and said unto them: 'Thus saith YHWH: Ye have forsaken Me, therefore have I also left you in the hand of Shishak.'

5  And Samaias the prophet came to Roboam, and to the princes of Juda that were gathered to Jerusalem for fear of Susakim, and said to them, Thus said the Lord, Ye have left me, and I will leave you in the hand of Susakim.

5  Then Shemaiah, the prophet, entered to Rehoboam, and to the leaders of Judah who had gathered together in Jerusalem while fleeing from Shishak, and he said to them: “Thus says the Lord: You have abandoned me, and so I have abandoned you into the hand of Shishak.”

6  Then the princes of Israel and the king humbled themselves; and they said: 'YHWH is righteous.'

6  And the leaders of Israel, and the king, being in consternation, said, “The Lord is just.”

7  And when YHWH saw that they humbled themselves, the word of the YHWH came to Shemaiah, saying: 'They have humbled themselves; I will not destroy them; but I will grant them some deliverance, and My wrath shall not be poured out upon Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak.

7  And when the Lord saw that they repented, then came the word of the Lord to Samaias, saying, They have repented; I will not destroy them, but I will set them in safety for a little while, and my wrath shall not be poured out on Jerusalem.

8  Nevertheless they shall be his servants; that they may know My service, and the service of the kingdoms of the countries.'

8  Yet truly, they shall serve him, so that they may know the difference between my servitude, and the servitude of a kingdom of the lands.”

9  So Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, and took away the treasures of the house of YHWH, and the treasures of the king's house; he took all away; he took away also the shields of gold which Solomon had made.

9  So Susakim king of Egypt went up against Jerusalem, and took the treasures that were in the house of the Lord, and the treasures that were in the king’s house: he took all; and he took the golden shields which Solomon had made.

9  And so Shishak, the king of Egypt, withdrew from Jerusalem, taking up the treasures of the house of the Lord and of the house of the king. And he took away everything with him, even the gold shields that Solomon had made.

10  And king Rehoboam made in their stead shields of brass, and committed them to the hands of the captains of the guard, that kept the door of the king's house.

10  In place of these, the king made bronze ones, and he delivered them to the leaders of the shield bearers, who were guarding the vestibule of the palace.

11  And it was so, that as oft as the king entered into the house of YHWH, the guard came and bore them, and brought them back into the guard-chamber.

11  And it came to pass, when the king went into the house of the Lord, the guards and the footmen went in, and they that returned to meet the footmen.

11  And when the king would enter into the house of the Lord, the shield bearers would arrive and take them, and they would carry them back to their armory.

12  And when he humbled himself, the anger of YHWH turned from him, that He would not destroy him altogether; and moreover in Judah there were good things found.

12  And when he repented, the anger of the Lord turned from him, and did not destroy him utterly; for there were good things in Juda.

12  Yet truly, because they were humbled, the wrath of the Lord turned away from them, and so they were not utterly destroyed. And indeed, good works were also found in Judah.

13  So king Rehoboam strengthened himself in Jerusalem, and reigned; for Rehoboam was forty and one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which YHWH had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, to put His name there; and his mother's name was Naamah the Ammonitess.

14  And he did that which was evil, because he set not his heart to seek YHWH.

14  But he did evil, and he did not prepare his heart so as to seek the Lord.

14  And he did evil before the LORD, for he did not prepare his heart to worship the LORD and to seek him with all his heart.

15  Now the acts of Rehoboam, first and last, are they not written in the histories of Shemaiah the prophet and of Iddo the seer, after the manner of genealogies? And there were wars between Rehoboam and Jeroboam continually.

15  And the acts of Roboam, the first and the last, behold, are they not written in the book of Samaia the prophet, and Addo the seer, with his achievements.

16  And Rehoboam slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David; and Abijah his son reigned in his stead.

16  And Roboam made war with Jeroboam all his days. And Roboam died with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David: and Abia his son reigned in his stead.

13:1  In the eighteenth year of king Jeroboam began Abijah to reign over Judah.

13:2  Three years reigned he in Jerusalem; and his mother's name was Micaiah the daughter of Uriel of Gibeah. And there was war between Abijah and Jeroboam.

2  He reigned for three years in Jerusalem, and the name of his mother was Micaiah, the daughter of Uriel, from Gibeah. And there was war between Abijah and Jeroboam.

2  He reigned three years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Maachah the daughter of Uriel of Ramtha.

13:3  And Abijah joined battle with an army of valiant men of war, even four hundred thousand chosen men; and Jeroboam set the battle in array against him with eight hundred thousand chosen men, who were mighty men of valour.

3  And Abijah mobilized an army of valiant men of war, four hundred thousand young men, who took upon themselves to go and fight against Jeroboam the son of Nebat. And Jeroboam also had mobilized an army, and he came to fight against him with eight hundred thousand young men, being mighty men of valour.

13:4  And Abijah stood up upon mount Zemaraim, which is in the hill-country of Ephraim, and said: 'Hear me, O Jeroboam and all Israel;

4  And Abia rose up from the mount Somoron, which is in mount Ephraim, and said, Hear ye, Jeroboam, and all Israel

4  Then Abijah stood upon mount Zemaraim, which was in Ephraim, and he said: “Listen to me, Jeroboam and all of Israel.

13:5  ought ye not to know that YHWH, the God of Israel, gave the kingdom over Israel to David for ever, even to him and to his sons by a covenant of salt?

5  Are you ignorant that the Lord, the God of Israel, gave David the kingship over Israel for all time, to him and to his sons, by a covenant of salt?

5  Perhaps you know that the LORD God of Israel gave the kingdom over Israel to David for ever, even to him and to his sons by a covenant pertaining to the kingship.

13:6  Yet Jeroboam the son of Nebat, the servant of Solomon the son of David, rose up, and rebelled against his lord.

6  But Jeroboam the son of Nabat, the servant of Solomon the son of David, is risen up, and has revolted from his master

13:7  And there were gathered unto him vain men, base fellows that strengthened themselves against Rehoboam the son of Solomon, when Rehoboam was young and faint-hearted, and could not withstand them.

7  and there are gathered to him pestilent men, transgressors, and he has risen up against Roboam the son of Solomon, while Roboam was young and fearful in heart, and he withstood him not.

7  And he gathered to him certain wicked men, the children of iniquity, and he prevailed against Rehoboam the son of Solomon, when Rehoboam was young and not advanced in years and did not know what to say, and did not comfort the people concerning the heavy yoke which Solomon his father had laid upon them.

13:8  And now ye think to withstand the kingdom of YHWH in the hand of the sons of David; and ye are a great multitude, and there are with you the golden calves which Jeroboam made you for gods.

8  Now therefore, you say that you are able to resist the kingdom of the Lord, which he possesses through the sons of David, and you have a great multitude of people, and gold calves, which Jeroboam made for you as gods.

8  And even now what can you say? You went away and renounced the kingdom of the house of David and went and served dead gods. And I reign over a single tribe, but you over many tribes, and there are with you golden calves which Jeroboam the son of Nebat made for you.

13:9  Have ye not driven out the priests of YHWH, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites, and have made you priests after the manner of the peoples of other lands? so that whosoever cometh to consecrate himself with a young bullock and seven rams, the same becometh a priest of them that are no gods.

9  And you have cast out the priests of the Lord, the sons of Aaron, as well as the Levites. And like all the peoples of the lands, you have made priests for yourselves. Anyone who is willing to come and perform the ritual by his hand, with a bull from the herd and with seven rams, is made a priest of those who are not gods.

13:10  But as for us, YHWH is our God, and we have not forsaken Him; and we have priests ministering unto the YHWH, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites in their work;

10  But the Lord is our God, and we have not forsaken him. And the priests who minister to the Lord are from the sons of Aaron. And the Levites are in their proper order.

13:11  and they burn unto YHWH every morning and every evening burnt-offerings and sweet incense; the showbread also set they in order upon the pure table; and the candlestick of gold with the lamps thereof, to burn every evening; for we keep the charge of the YHWH our God; but ye have forsaken Him.

11  they sacrifice to the Lord whole-burnt-offering, morning and evening, and compound incense, and set the shewbread on the pure table; and there is the golden candlestick, and the lamps for burning, to light in the evening: for we keep the charge of the Lord God of our fathers; but ye have forsaken him.

11  Also, they offer holocausts to the Lord, each and every day, morning and evening, and incense composed according to the precept of the law, and the bread of the presence on a very pure table. And there is with us the gold lampstand with its lamps, so that they may burn continually in the evening. For certainly, we keep the precepts of the Lord our God, whom you have forsaken.

13:12  And, behold, God is with us at our head, and His priests with the trumpets of alarm to sound an alarm against you. O children of Israel, fight ye not against YHWH, the God of your fathers; for ye shall not prosper.'

12  Therefore, God is the commander of our army, with his priests, who sound the trumpets that ring out against you. O sons of Israel, do not choose to fight against the Lord, the God of your fathers. For it is not expedient for you.”

12  But you have forsaken him and have gone after dead gods, and you serve them and worship them; and have forsaken the LORD God of your fathers, therefore you shall not prosper in the world.

13:13  But Jeroboam caused an ambushment to come about behind them; so they were before Judah, and the ambushment was behind them.

13  Now Jeroboam had caused an ambush to come round upon him from behind: and he himself was before Juda, and the ambush behind.

13  While he was speaking these things, Jeroboam set in motion an ambush behind them. And while they stood facing the enemy, without Judah realizing it, his army circled around.

13:14  And when Judah looked back, behold, the battle was before and behind them; and they cried unto YHWH, and the priests sounded with the trumpets.

14  And Juda looked back, and, behold, the battle was against them before and behind: and they cried to the Lord, and the priests sounded with the trumpets.

14  And looking back, Judah saw the war threatening in front and behind, and they cried out to the Lord. And the priests began to sound the trumpets.

13:15  Then the men of Judah gave a shout; and as the men of Judah shouted, it came to pass, that God smote Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah.

15  And the men of Juda shouted: and it came to pass, when the men of Juda shouted, that the Lord smote Jeroboam and Israel before Abia and Juda.

15  And all the men of Judah shouted out. And behold, when they cried out, God terrified Jeroboam, and all of Israel who were standing in opposition to Abijah and Judah.

13:16  And the children of Israel fled before Judah; and God delivered them into their hand.

13:17  And Abijah and his people slew them with a great slaughter; so there fell down slain of Israel five hundred thousand chosen men.

17  Therefore, Abijah and his people struck them with a great slaughter. And five hundred thousand strong men of Israel fell wounded.

17  And Abijah slew them with a great slaughter; so there fell slain of Israel five hundred thousand young men.

13:18  Thus the children of Israel were brought under at that time, and the children of Judah prevailed, because they relied upon YHWH, the God of their fathers.

18  So the children of Israel were brought low in that day, and the children of Juda prevailed, because they trusted on the Lord God of their fathers.

18  And the sons of Israel were humiliated at that time. And the sons of Judah were very greatly strengthened, because they had trusted in the Lord, the God of their fathers.

13:19  And Abijah pursued after Jeroboam, and took cities from him, Bethel with the towns thereof, and Jeshanah with the towns thereof, and Ephrain with the towns thereof.

19  Then Abijah pursued the fleeing Jeroboam. And he seized cities from him: Bethel and her daughters, and Jeshanah with her daughters, and also Ephron and her daughters.

13:20  Neither did Jeroboam recover strength again in the days of Abijah; and YHWH smote him, and he died.

20  And Jeroboam no longer had the strength to resist, in the days of Abijah. And the Lord struck him, and he died.

13:21  But Abijah waxed mighty, and took unto himself fourteen wives, and begot twenty and two sons, and sixteen daughters.

21  And so Abijah, having been strengthened in his authority, took fourteen wives. And he procreated twenty-two sons and sixteen daughters.

21  But Abijah became strong, and he married fourteen wives, and there were born to him twenty-two sons and sixteen daughters.

13:22  And the rest of the acts of Abijah, and his ways, and his sayings, are written in the commentary of the prophet Iddo.

22  Now the rest of the words of Abijah, and his ways and works, have been written very diligently in the book of Iddo, the prophet.

14:2  And Asa did that which was good and right in the eyes of YHWH his God;

2  Now Asa did what was good and pleasing in the sight of his God. And he overturned the altars of foreign worship, and the high places.

14:3  for he took away the strange altars, and the high places, and broke down the pillars, and hewed down the Asherim;

3  And he removed the altars of the strange gods, and the high places, and broke the pillars in pieces, and cut down the groves

3  And he broke apart the statues, and he cut down the sacred groves.

14:4  and commanded Judah to seek YHWH, the God of their fathers, and to do the law and the commandment.

4  And he instructed Judah that they should seek the Lord, the God of their fathers, and that they should carry out the law and all the commandments.

4  And he said to Judah, Come, let us pray before the LORD God of our fathers.

14:5  Also he took away out of all the cities of Judah the high places and the sun-images; and the kingdom was quiet before him.

5  And he removed from all the cities of Juda the altars and the idols, and established in quietness

5  Also he uprooted out of all the cities of Judah the shrines on the high places and the idols; and his kingdom was quiet in his days, and he had no enemies on all his borders.

14:6  And he built fortified cities in Judah; for the land was quiet, and he had no war in those years; because YHWH had given him rest.

6  Also, he built fortified cities in Judah. For it was quiet, and in his time no wars had arisen. For the Lord was generously granting peace.

14:7  For he said unto Judah: 'Let us build these cities, and make about them walls, and towers, gates, and bars; the land is yet before us, because we have sought YHWH our God; we have sought Him, and He hath given us rest on every side.' So they built and prospered.

7  Then he said to Judah: “Let us build these cities, and strengthen them with walls, and fortify them with towers and gates and bars, while all things are at rest from wars. For we have sought the Lord, the God of our fathers, and he has granted to us peace on every side.” And so they built, and there was nothing to impede them from building.

14:8  And Asa had an army that bore bucklers and spears, out of Judah three hundred thousand; and out of Benjamin, that bore shields and drew bows, two hundred and fourscore thousand; all these were mighty men of valour.

8  Now Asa had in his army three hundred thousand men of Judah, carrying shields and spears, and truly, of Benjamin, two hundred eighty thousand men with shields and bows. All of these were very valiant men.

14:9  And there came out against them Zerah the Ethiopian with an army of a thousand thousand, and three hundred chariots; and he came unto Mareshah.

9  And Zare the Ethiopian went out against them, with a force of a million, and three hundred chariots; and came to Maresa.

9  Then Zerah, the Ethiopian, went forth against them with his army of one million men, and three hundred chariots. And he approached as far as Mareshah.

14:10  Then Asa went out to meet him, and they set the battle in array in the valley of Zephath at Mareshah.

10  And Asa went out to meet him, and set the battle in array in the valley north of Maresa.

14:11  And Asa cried unto YHWH his God, and said: 'YHWH, there is none beside Thee to help, between the mighty and him that hath no strength; help us, O LORD our God; for we rely on Thee, and in Thy name are we come against this multitude. Thou art the LORD our God; let not man prevail against Thee.'

11  And he called upon the Lord God, and he said: “O Lord, there is no difference to you, whether you assist by few, or by many. Help us, O Lord our God. For having faith in you and in your name, we have gone forth against this multitude. O Lord, you are our God. Do not allow man to prevail against you.”

11  And Asa prayed before the LORD his God and said, Thou art our LORD, thou art the help of thy people; and when thou dost deliver a great army in the hands of a small force, then all the inhabitants of the earth shall know that it is good to rely on thee; help us, O LORD our God, because in thy name we have come against this great army. O LORD our God, delay not thy might from us.

14:12  So YHWH smote the Ethiopians before Asa, and before Judah; and the Ethiopians fled.

12  And the Lord smote the Ethiopians before Juda; and the Ethiopians fled.

12  And when Asa had finished praying, the angel of the LORD routed the Ethiopians before Asa and before Judah; and the Ethiopians fled.

14:13  And Asa and the people that were with him pursued them unto Gerar; and there fell of the Ethiopians so that none remained alive; for they were shattered before YHWH, and before His host; and they carried away very much booty.

13  And Asa and his people pursued them to Gedor; and the Ethiopians fell, so that they could not recover themselves; for they were crushed before the Lord, and before his host; and they took many spoils.

13  And Asa, and the people who were with him, pursued them as far as Gerar. And the Ethiopians fell, even unto utter destruction, for the Lord was striking, and his army was battling, and they were destroyed. Therefore, they took many spoils.

14:14  And they smote all the cities round about Gerar; for a terror from YHWH came upon them; and they spoiled all the cities; for there was much spoil in them.

14  And they destroyed their towns roundabout Gedor; for a terror of the Lord was upon them: and they spoiled all their cities, for they had much spoil.

14  And they struck all the cities surrounding Gerar. For indeed, a great fear had overwhelmed everyone. And they despoiled the cities, and they carried away much plunder.

14:15  They smote also the tents of cattle, and carried away sheep in abundance and camels, and returned to Jerusalem.

15  Then too, destroying the fencing for the sheep, they took an innumerable multitude of cattle and camels. And they returned to Jerusalem.

15:1  And the spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded;

1  And Azarias the son of Oded—upon him came the Spirit of the Lord,

1  Now Azariah, the son of Oded, had the Spirit of God within him.

15:2  and he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him: 'Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: YHWH is with you, while ye are with Him; and if ye seek Him, He will be found of you; but if ye forsake Him, He will forsake you.

15:3  Now for long seasons Israel was without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law;

3  Then many days will pass in Israel, apart from the true God, and apart from a learned priest, and apart from the law.

3  Now for a long time Israel has not served their God in truth and has not accepted the teaching of their priests and would not obey their laws; therefore they were delivered into the hand of their enemies.

15:4  but when in their distress they turned unto YHWH, the God of Israel, and sought Him, He was found of them.

4  But he shall turn them to the Lord God of Israel, and he will be found of them.

4  And when, in their anguish, they will have returned to the Lord, the God of Israel, and will have sought him, they shall find him.

15:5  And in those times there was no peace to him that went out, nor to him that came in, but great discomfitures were upon all the inhabitants of the lands.

5  In that time, there will be no peace for those who depart and those who enter. Instead, there will be terror on every side, among all the inhabitants of the lands.

15:6  And they were broken in pieces, nation against nation, and city against city; for God did discomfit them with all manner of adversity.

6  For nation will fight against nation, and city against city. For the Lord will disturb them with every anguish.

6  And we were scattered in every nation and people, and in towns and cities,

15:7  But be ye strong, and let not your hands be slack; for your work shall be rewarded.'

7  But as for you, be strengthened, and do not let your hands be weakened. For there will be a reward for your work.”

7  Because we had forsaken our God and would not listen to the voice of his servants, the prophets; so he rewarded us according to our works.

15:8  And when Asa heard these words, even the prophecy of Oded the prophet, he took courage, and put away the detestable things out of all the land of Judah and Benjamin, and out of the cities which he had taken from the hill-country of Ephraim; and he renewed the altar of YHWH, that was before the porch of the YHWH.

8  And when Asa had heard these particular words, and the prophecy of the prophet Azariah, the son of Oded, he was strengthened, and he took away the idols from the entire land of Judah, and from Benjamin, and from the cities that he had seized of mount Ephraim, and he dedicated the altar of the Lord, which was before the portico of the Lord.

15:9  And he gathered all Judah and Benjamin, and them that sojourned with them out of Ephraim and Manasseh, and out of Simeon; for they fell to him out of Israel in abundance, when they saw that YHWH his God was with him.

9  And he gathered together all of Judah and Benjamin, and with them the new arrivals from Ephraim and Manasseh and Simeon. For many had fled to him from Israel, seeing that the Lord his God was with him.

15:10  So they gathered themselves together at Jerusalem in the third month, in the fifteenth year of the reign of Asa.

10  And they assembled at Jerusalem in the third month, in the fifteenth year of the reign of Asa.

10  And when they had arrived in Jerusalem, in the third month, in the fifteenth year of the reign of Asa,

15:11  And they sacrificed unto YHWH in that day, of the spoil which they had brought, seven hundred oxen and seven thousand sheep.

11  they immolated to the Lord on that day, from the best of the spoils and from the plunder that they had brought: seven hundred oxen and seven thousand rams.

11  And the same day they offered to the LORD of the spoil which they had brought, seven hundred oxen and six thousand sheep.

15:12  And they entered into the covenant to seek YHWH, the God of their fathers, with all their heart and with all their soul;

12  And he entered into a covenant that they should seek the Lord God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul.

12  And he entered, according to custom, in order to confirm the covenant, so that they would seek the Lord, the God of their fathers, with their whole heart and with their whole soul.

15:13  and that whosoever would not seek YHWH, the God of Israel, should be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman.

13  And that whoever should not seek the Lord God of Israel, should die, whether young or old, whether man or woman.

13  “But if anyone,” he said, “will not seek the Lord, the God of Israel, let him die, from the least even to the greatest, from man even to woman.”

15:14  And they swore unto YHWH with a loud voice, and with shouting, and with trumpets, and with horns.

14  And they swore to the Lord, with a great voice, in jubilation, and with the blare of trumpets, and with the sound of horns,

15:15  And all Judah rejoiced at the oath; for they had sworn with all their heart, and sought Him with their whole desire; and He was found of them; and YHWH gave them rest round about.

15  all who were in Judah swore with a curse. For with all their heart they swore, and with all their will they sought and found him. And the Lord granted rest on all sides to them.

15:16  And also Maacah the mother of Asa the king, he removed her from being queen, because she had made an abominable image for an Asherah; and Asa cut down her image, and made dust of it, and burnt it at the brook Kidron.

16  And he removed Maacha his mother from being priestess to Astarte; and he cut down the idol, and burnt it in the brook of Kedron.

16  Then too, Maacah, the mother of king Asa, he deposed from the august authority, because she had made an idol of Priapus within a sacred grove. And he entirely crushed it, breaking it into pieces, and he burned it at the torrent Kidron.

15:17  But the high places were not taken away out of Israel; nevertheless the heart of Asa was whole all his days.

17  Nevertheless they removed not the high places: they still existed in Israel: nevertheless the heart of Asa was perfect all his days.

17  But the altars on the high places were not taken away out of Israel; nevertheless the heart of Asa was perfect in the worship of the LORD his God all the days of his life.

15:18  And he brought into the house of God the things that his father had hallowed, and that he himself had hallowed, silver, and gold, and vessels.

18  And whatever his father or he himself had vowed, he brought into the house of the Lord: silver and gold, and vessels for various uses.

15:19  And there was no more war unto the five and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa.

19  Truly, there was no war, until the thirty-fifth year of the kingdom of Asa.

16:1  In the six and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa, Baasa king of Israel went up against Judah, and built Ramah, that he might not suffer any to go out or come in to Asa king of Judah.

1  And in the thirty-eighth year of the reign of Asa, the king of Israel went up against Juda, and built Rama, so as not to allow egress or ingress to Asa king of Juda.

1  Then, in the thirty-sixth year of his reign, Baasha, the king of Israel, ascended against Judah. And he encircled Ramah with a wall, so that no one could safely depart or enter from the kingdom of Asa.

16:2  Then Asa brought out silver and gold out of the treasures of the house of YHWH and of the king's house, and sent to Ben- hadad king of Aram, that dwelt at Damascus, saying

2  And Asa took silver and gold out of the treasures of the house of the Lord, and of the king’s house, and sent them to the son of Ader king of Syria, which dwelt in Damascus, saying,

2  Therefore, Asa brought forth silver and gold from the treasuries of the house of the Lord, and from the treasuries of the king. And he sent to Benhadad, the king of Syria, who was living in Damascus, saying

16:3  'There is a league between me and thee, as there was between my father and thy father; behold, I have sent thee silver and gold; go, break thy league with Baasa king of Israel, that he may depart from me.'

3  Make a covenant between me and thee, and between my father and thy father: behold, I have sent thee gold and silver: come, and turn away from me Baasa king of Israel, and let him depart from me.

3  “There is a pact between me and you. Also, my father and your father had an agreement. For this reason, I have sent silver and gold to you, so that you may break the pact that you have with Baasha, the king of Israel, and so that you may cause him to withdraw from me.”

16:4  And Ben-hadad hearkened unto king Asa, and sent the captains of his armies against the cities of Israel; and they smote Ijon, and Dan, and Abelmaim, and all the store-cities of Naphtali.

16:5  And it came to pass, when Baasa heard thereof, that he left off building Ramah, and let his work cease.

5  And when Baasha had heard of it, he ceased to build around Ramah, and he interrupted his work.

5  Then when Baasha heard of it, he stopped building Ramtha, and let his work cease.

16:6  Then Asa the king took all Judah; and they carried away the stones of Ramah, and the timber thereof, wherewith Baasa had builded; and he built therewith Geba and Mizpah.

6  then king Asa took all Juda, and took the stones of Rama, and its timber, with which Baasa had built; and he built with them Gabae and Maspha.

6  Then Asa the king gathered together all Judah; and they carried away the stones of Ramtha and its timber with which Baasha was building; and King Asa built with them Ramtha of Benjamin and the town of Mizpah.

16:7  And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said unto him: 'Because thou hast relied on the king of Aram, and hast not relied on YHWH thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Aram escaped out of thy hand.

7  In that time, the prophet Hanani went to Asa, the king of Judah, and he said to him: “Because you have faith in the king of Syria, and not in the Lord your God, therefore the army of the king of Syria has escaped from your hand.

16:8  Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubim a huge host, with chariots and horsemen exceeding many? yet, because thou didst rely on YHWH, He delivered them into thy hand.

8  And they will go and become strong, both they and the Ethiopians and the kings that are with them, and will become great armies with very many chariots and horsemen, but when you seek the LORD your God, he will deliver them into your hands.

16:9  For the eyes of YHWH run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is whole toward Him. Herein thou hast done foolishly; for from henceforth thou shalt have wars.'

9  For the eyes of the Lord contemplate the entire earth, and offer fortitude to those who believe in him with a perfect heart. And so, you acted foolishly. And so, because of this, from the present time wars shall rise up against you.”

16:10  Then Asa was wroth with the seer, and put him in the prison-house; for he was in a rage with him because of this thing. And Asa oppressed some of the people the same time.

10  And Asa was angry with the prophet, and put him in prison, for he was angry at this: and Asa vexed some of the people at that time.

10  And Asa was angry against the seer, and he ordered him to be sent into prison. For indeed, he had been very indignant over this. And in that time, he put to death very many of the people.

16:11  And, behold, the acts of Asa, first and last, lo, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.

11  But the works of Asa, the first and the last, have been written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.

16:12  And in the thirty and ninth year of his reign Asa was diseased in his feet; his disease was exceeding great; yet in his disease he sought not to YHWH, but to the physicians.

12  And Asa was diseased in his feet in the thirty-ninth year of his reign, until he was very ill: but in his disease he sought not to the Lord, but to the physicians.

12  And now Asa became ill, in the thirty-ninth year of his reign, with a very severe pain in his feet. And yet, in his infirmity, he did not seek the Lord. Instead, he trusted more in the skill of physicians.

16:13  And Asa slept with his fathers, and died in the one and fortieth year of his reign.

16:14  And they buried him in his own sepulchres, which he had hewn out for himself in the city of David, and laid him in the bed which was filled with sweet odours and divers kinds of spices prepared by the perfumers' art; and they made a very great burning for him.

17:1  And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead, and strengthened himself against Israel.

1  Then Jehoshaphat, his son, reigned in his place. And he grew strong against Israel.

17:2  And he placed forces in all the fortified cities of Judah, and set garrisons in the land of Judah, and in the cities of Ephraim, which Asa his father had taken.

2  And he appointed numbers of soldiers in all the cities of Judah that had been fortified with walls. And he placed garrisons in the land of Judah, and in the cities of Ephraim that his father Asa had seized.

17:3  And YHWH was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto the Baalim;

3  And the Lord was with Josaphat, for he walked in the first ways of his father, and did not seek to idols;

17:4  but sought to the God of his father, and walked in His commandments, and not after the doings of Israel.

4  but in the God of his father. And he advanced in his precepts, and not according to the sins of Israel.

4  But he prayed to the LORD God of his father and walked in his commandments and kept his statutes, and did not do according to the ways of Israel.

17:5  Therefore YHWH established the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents; and he had riches and honour in abundance.

5  And the Lord prospered the kingdom in his hand; and all Juda gave gifts to Josaphat; and he had great wealth and glory.

5  And the Lord confirmed the kingdom in his hand. And all of Judah gave gifts to Jehoshaphat. And innumerable riches were brought to him, and much glory.

17:6  And his heart was lifted up in the ways of YHWH; and furthermore he took away the high places and the Asherim out of Judah.

6  And when his heart had taken courage because of the ways of the Lord, he now also took away the high places and the sacred groves from Judah.

6  And his heart was strengthened in the ways of the LORD; moreover he uprooted the altars and the high places which were within the territory of Judah.

17:7  Also in the third year of his reign he sent his princes, even Ben-hail, and Obadiah, and Zechariah, and Nethanel, and Micaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah;

7  And in the third year of his reign, he sent his chief men, and his mighty men, Abdias and Zacharias, and Nathanael, and Michaias, to teach in the cities of Juda.

7  Then, in the third year of his reign, he sent Benhail, and Obadiah, and Zechariah, and Nethanel, and Micaiah, from among his leaders, so that they might teach in the cites of Judah.

17:8  and with them the Levites, even Shemaiah, and Nethaniah, and Zebadiah, and Asahel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehonathan, and Adonijah, and Tobijah, and Tob-adonijah, the Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, the priests.

8  And with them were the Levites, even Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zechariah, Ashaiel, Natorah, Jonathan, Adonijah, and Tobiah. These were all Levites, and with them were Elishama and Jehoram, priests.

17:9  And they taught in Judah, having the book of the Law of YHWH with them; and they went about throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught among the people.

9  And they were teaching the people in Judah, having with them the book of the law of the Lord. And they were traveling through all the cities of Judah, and were instructing the people.

17:10  And a terror from YHWH fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat.

10  And so, the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands which were around Judah. And they did not dare to make war against Jehoshaphat.

17:11  And some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents, and silver for tribute; the Arabians also brought him flocks, seven thousand and seven hundred rams, and seven thousand and seven hundred he-goats.

11  Moreover, the Philistines carried gifts to Jehoshaphat, and a tribute in silver. Also, the Arabians brought cattle: seven thousand seven hundred rams, and the same number of he-goats.

11  Also some of the cities of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents, silver, and poll tax; and the Arabians brought him flocks, seven thousand and seven hundred rams, and seven thousand and seven hundred he-goats, yearly.

17:12  And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly; and he built in Judah castles and cities of store.

12  And Josaphat increased in greatness exceedingly, and built in Judea places of abode, and strong cities.

12  Therefore, Jehoshaphat increased and was magnified, even on high. And in Judah, he built houses in the likeness of towers, and walled cities.

17:13  And he had many works in the cities of Judah; and men of war, mighty men of valour, in Jerusalem.

13  And he prepared many works in the cities of Judah. Also, there were men experienced in warfare in Jerusalem,

17:14  And this was the numbering of them according to their fathers' houses: of Judah, the captains of thousands: Adnah the captain, and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand;

14  And this is their number according to the houses of their fathers; even the captains of thousands in Juda were, Ednas the chief, and with him mighty men of strength three hundred thousand.

14  and this is the number of them, by each of the houses and families. In Judah, the leader of the army was Adnah, the commander; and with him were three hundred thousand very experienced men.

17:15  and next to him Jehohanan the captain, and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand;

15  And after him, Joanan the captain, and with him two hundred eighty thousand.

15  After him, Jehohanan was the leader; and with him were two hundred eighty thousand.

17:16  and next to him Amasiah the son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself unto YHWH, and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour;

16  And after him Amasias the son of Zari, who was zealous for the Lord; and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of strength.

17:17  and of Benjamin: Eliada a mighty man of valour, and with him two hundred thousand armed with bow and shield;

17  And out of Benjamin there was a mighty man of strength, even Eliada, and with him two hundred thousand archers and targeteers.

17  Following him, there was Eliada, who was experienced in battle; and with him were two hundred thousand, holding bow and shield.

17:18  and next to him Jehozabad, and with him a hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for war.

18  And after him Jozabad, and with him a hundred and eighty thousand mighty men of war.

18  Then too, after him, there was Jehozabad; and with him were one hundred eighty thousand lightly-armed solders.

17:19  These were they that waited on the king beside those whom the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah.

19  All these were at the hand of the king, aside from the others, whom he had positioned in the walled cities, in all of Judah.

18:1  Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honour in abundance; and he allied himself with Ahab by marriage.

1  And Josaphat had yet great wealth and glory, and he connected himself by marriage with the house of Achaab.

1  Therefore, Jehoshaphat was wealthy and very famous, and he was joined by affinity to Ahab.

18:2  And after a lapse of years he went down to Ahab to Samaria. And Ahab killed sheep and oxen for him in abundance, and for the people that were with him, and persuaded him to go up with him to Ramoth-gilead.

2  And he went down after a term of years to Achaab to Samaria: and Achaab slew for him sheep and calves, in abundance, and for the people with him, and he much desired him to go up with him to Ramoth of the country of Galaad.

2  And after some years, he descended to him in Samaria. And upon his arrival, Ahab slaughtered very many sheep and oxen, for him and for the people who had arrived with him. And he persuaded him that he should ascend against Ramoth Gilead.

18:3  And Ahab king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat king of Judah: 'Wilt thou go with me to Ramoth-gilead?' And he answered him: 'I am as thou art, and my people as thy people; and we will be with thee in the war.'

3  And Achaab king of Israel said to Josaphat king of Juda, Wilt thou go with me to Ramoth of the country of Galaad? And he said to him, As I am, so also art thou, as thy people, so also is my people with thee for the war.

18:4  And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel: 'Inquire, I pray thee, at the word of YHWH today.'

4  And Josaphat said to the king of Israel, Seek, I pray thee, the Lord to-day.

4  And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “Consult, I beg you, the word of the Lord for the present circumstances.”

18:5  Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, four hundred men, and said unto them: 'Shall we go to Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I forbear?' And they said: 'Go up; for God will deliver it into the hand of the king.'

18:6  But Jehoshaphat said: 'Is there not here besides a prophet of YHWH, that we might inquire of him?'

6  And Josaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the Lord besides, that we may enquire of him?

6  But King Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a true prophet of the LORD, that we may inquire of him?

18:7  And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat: 'There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of YHWH; but I hate him; for he never prophesieth good concerning me, but always evil; the same is Micaiah the son of Imla.' And Jehoshaphat said: 'Let not the king say so.'

7  And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat: “There is one man, from whom we would be able to ask the will of the Lord. But I hate him, for he never prophesies good to me, but at all times evil. And it is Micaiah, the son of Imlah.” And Jehoshaphat said, “You should not speak in this manner, O king.”

18:8  Then the king of Israel called an officer, and said: 'Fetch quickly Micaiah the son of Imla.'

8  And the king called an eunuch, and said, Fetch quickly Michaias the son of Jembla.

8  Therefore, the king of Israel called one of the eunuchs, and said to him: “Quickly, summon Micaiah, the son of Imlah.”

18:9  Now the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah sat each on his throne, arrayed in their robes, and they sat in a threshing-floor at the entrance of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets were prophesying before them.

18:10  And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made him horns of iron, and said: 'Thus saith YHWH: With these shalt thou gore the Arameans, until they be consumed.'

10  Truly, Zedekiah, the son of Chenaanah, made for himself horns of iron, and he said: “Thus says the Lord: With these, you shall threaten Syria, until you crush it.”

18:11  And all the prophets prophesied so, saying: 'Go up to Ramoth-gilead, and prosper; for YHWH will deliver it into the hand of the king.'

18:12  And the messenger that went to call Micaiah spoke to him, saying: 'Behold, the words of the prophets declare good to the king with one mouth; let thy word therefore, I pray thee, be like one of theirs, and speak thou good.'

12  Then the messenger who had gone to summon Micaiah said to him: “Lo, the words of all the prophets, with one mouth, announce good to the king. Therefore, I ask you that you not dissent from them in your word, and that you speak prosperity.”

18:13  And Micaiah said: 'As YHWH liveth, what my God saith, that will I speak.'

13  And Michaias said, As the Lord lives, whatever God shall say to me, that will I speak.

18:14  And when he was come to the king, the king said unto him: 'Micaiah, shall we go to Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I forbear?' And he said: 'Go ye up, and prosper; and they shall be delivered into your hand.'

14  And he came to the king, and the king said to him, Michaias, shall I go up to Ramoth Galaad to battle, or shall I forbear? And he said, Go up, and thou shalt prosper, and they shall be given into your hands.

14  Therefore, he went to the king. And the king said to him, “Micaiah, should we go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or should we be quieted?” And he responded to him: “Ascend. For everything will come to prosperity, and the enemies will be delivered into your hands.”

18:15  And the king said to him: 'How many times shall I adjure thee that thou speak unto me nothing but the truth in the name of YHWH.'

15  And the king said, “Again and again, I bind you by an oath, so that you will not speak to me except what is true in the name of the Lord!”

18:16  And he said: 'I saw all Israel scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd; and YHWH said: These have no master, let them return every man to his house in peace.'

16  Then he said: “I saw all of Israel scattered amid the mountains, like sheep without a shepherd. And the Lord said: ‘These have no masters. Let each one return in peace to his own house.’ ”

16  Then he said, I saw all Israel scattered upon the mountains as sheep that have no shepherd; and the LORD said, These have no king; let them return therefore every man to his house in peace.

18:17  And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat: 'Did I not tell thee that he would not prophesy good concerning me, but evil?'

18:18  And he said: 'Therefore hear ye the word of YHWH: I saw the YHWH sitting upon His throne, and all the host of heaven standing on His right hand and on His left.

18  But he said, Not so. Hear ye the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven stood by on his right hand and on his left.

18:19  And YHWH said: who shall entice Ahab king of Israel, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead? And one spoke saying after this manner, and another saying after that manner.

19  And the Lord said, Who will deceive Achaab king of Israel, that he may go up, and fall in Ramoth Galaad? And one spoke this way, and another spoke that way.

19  And the LORD said, Who shall entice Ahab king of Israel, that he may go up and be slain at Ramath-gilead? And one said, I will entice him after this manner, and another said, I will entice him after that manner.

18:20  And there came forth the spirit, and stood before YHWH, and said: I will entice him. And the YHWH said unto him: Wherewith?

20  there came forward a spirit, and he stood before the Lord and said, ‘I will deceive him.’ And the Lord said to him, ‘In what way will you deceive him?’

20  Then there came out a spirit, and stood before the LORD and said, I will entice him, and the LORD said to him, With what?

18:21  And he said: I will go forth, and will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And He said: Thou shalt entice him, and shalt prevail also; go forth, and do so.

21  And he responded, ‘I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.’ And the Lord said: ‘You will deceive and prevail. Go forth and do so.’

18:22  Now therefore, behold, YHWH hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of these thy prophets; and the YHWH hath spoken evil concerning thee.'

22  And now, behold, the Lord has put a false spirit in the mouth of these thy prophets, and the Lord has spoken evil against thee.

22  Therefore now, behold: the Lord gave a lying spirit to the mouth of all your prophets, and the Lord has spoken evil about you.”

18:23  Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near, and smote Micaiah upon the check, and said: 'Which way went the spirit of YHWH from me to speak unto thee?'

23  Then Sedekias the son of Chanaan drew near, and smote Michaias on the cheek, and said to him, By what way passed the Spirit of the Lord from me to speak to thee?

23  Then Zedekiah, the son of Chenaanah, approached, and he struck Micaiah on the jaw, and he said: “In what way did the Spirit of the Lord depart from me, so that he would speak to you?”

18:24  And Micaiah said: 'Behold, thou shalt see on that day, when thou shalt go into an inner chamber to hide thyself.'

24  And Micaiah said: “You yourself shall see it, in that day, when you will enter a room within a room, so that you may be hidden.”

18:25  And the king of Israel said: 'Take ye Micaiah; and carry him back unto Amon the governor of the city, and to Joash the king's son;

25  Then the king of Israel instructed, saying: “Take Micaiah, and lead him to Amon, the leader of the city, and to Joash, the son of Amalech.

18:26  and say: Thus saith the king: Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with scant bread and with scant water, until I return in peace.'

26  and ye shall say, Thus said the king, Put this fellow into the prison house, and let him eat the bread of affliction, and drink the water of affliction, until I return in peace.

26  And you shall say: ‘Thus says the king: Send this man to prison, and give to him a little bread and a little water, until I return in peace.’ ”

18:27  And Micaiah said: 'If thou return at all in peace, YHWH hath not spoken by me.' And he said: 'Hear, ye peoples, all of you.'

27  And Michaias said, If thou do at all return in peace, the Lord has not spoken by me. And he said, Hear, all ye people.

18:28  So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the kind of Judah went up to Ramoth-gilead.

28  And so, the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, ascended against Ramoth Gilead.

18:29  And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat: 'I will disguise myself, and go into the battle; but put thou on thy robes.' So the king of Israel disguised himself; and they went into the battle.

29  And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat: “I will change my clothing, and in this way I will go into battle. But you should be clothed in your own garments.” And the king of Israel, having changed his clothing, went to war.

18:30  Now the king of Aram had commanded the captains of his chariots, saying: 'Fight neither with small nor great, save only with the king of Israel.'

30  Now the king of Syria had instructed the commanders of his horsemen, saying, “You shall not fight against the least or the greatest, but only against the king of Israel.”

18:31  And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said: 'It is the king of Israel.' Therefore they turned about to fight against him; but Jehoshaphat cried out, and YHWH helped him; and God moved them to depart from him.

31  And so, when the leaders of the horsemen had seen Jehoshaphat, they said, “This one is the king of Israel.” And while fighting, they surrounded him. But he cried out to the Lord, and he assisted him, and he turned them away from him.

18:32  And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw that it was not the king of Israel, that they turned back from pursuing him.

32  For when the commanders of the horsemen had seen that he was not the king of Israel, they left him.

18:33  And a certain man drew his bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the lower armour and the breastplate; wherefore he said to the driver of the chariot: 'Turn thy hand, and carry me out of the host; for I am sore wounded.'

33  And a man drew a bow with a good aim, and smote the king of Israel between the lungs and the breast-plate: and he said to the charioteer, Turn thine hand, drive me out of the battle, for I am wounded.

33  Then it happened that one of the people shot an arrow indiscriminately, and it struck the king of Israel between the neck and the shoulder. And so he said to his chariot driver: “Turn your hand, and lead me away from the battle line. For I have been wounded.”

18:34  And the battle increased that day; howbeit the king of Israel stayed himself up in his chariot against the Arameans until the even; and about the time of the going down of the sun he died.

34  And the fight ended on that day. But the king of Israel was standing in his chariot facing the Syrians, even until evening. And he died when the sun set.

19:1  And Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem.

1  And Josaphat king of Juda returned to his house at Jerusalem.

1  AND at the evening Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem.

19:2  And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat: 'Shouldest thou help the wicked, and love them that hate YHWH? for this thing wrath is upon thee from before the YHWH.

2  And there went out to meet him Jeu the prophet the son of Anani, and said to him, King Josaphat, doest thou help a sinner, or act friendly towards one hated of the Lord? Therefore has wrath come upon thee from the Lord.

2  And the seer Jehu, the son of Hanani, met him, and said to him: “You offer assistance to the impious, and you are joined in friendship with those who hate the Lord. And for this reason, you certainly deserve the wrath of the Lord.

19:3  Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast put away the Asheroth out of the land, and hast set thy heart to seek God.'

3  But good works have been found in you. For you have taken away the sacred groves from the land of Judah. And you have prepared your heart, so as to seek the Lord, the God of your fathers.”

19:4  And Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem; and he went out again among the people from Beer-sheba to the hill-country of Ephraim, and brought them back unto YHWH, the God of their fathers.

4  Then Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem. And again he went out to the people, from Beersheba as far as mount Ephraim. And he called them back to the Lord, the God of their fathers.

19:5  And he set judges in the land throughout all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city,

5  And he appointed judges in all the strong cities of Juda, city by city.

19:6  and said to the judges: 'Consider what ye do; for ye judge not for man, but for YHWH; and He is with you in giving judgment.

6  And he said to the judges, Take good heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the Lord, and with you are matters of judgement.

6  And instructing the judges, he said: “Pay attention to what you are doing. For you exercise judgment, not of man, but of the Lord. And whatever you will have judged, it will come back to you.

19:7  Now therefore let the fear of YHWH be upon you; take heed and do it; for there is no iniquity with the YHWH our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of bribes.'

7  And now let the fear of the Lord be upon you, and be wary, and do your duty: for there is no unrighteousness with the Lord our God, neither is it for him to respect persons, nor take bribes.

7  Let the fear of the Lord be with you, and do all things with diligence. For there is no iniquity with the Lord our God, nor respect of persons, nor desire for gifts.”

19:8  Moreover in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set of the Levites and the priests, and of the heads of the fathers' houses of Israel, for the judgment of YHWH, and for controversies. And they returned to Jerusalem.

8  Moreover Josaphat appointed in Jerusalem some of the priests, and Levites, and heads of houses of Israel, for the judgement of the Lord, and to judge the dwellers in Jerusalem.

8  Jehoshaphat also appointed Levites and priests and leaders of families, out of Israel, in Jerusalem, so that they might judge the judgment and purpose of the Lord for its inhabitants.

19:9  And he charged them, saying: 'Thus shall ye do in the fear of YHWH, faithfully, and with a whole heart.

9  And he instructed them, saying, “So shall you act: faithfully, in the fear of the Lord, and with a perfect heart.

19:10  And whensoever any controversy shall come to you from your brethren that dwell in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and ordinances, ye shall warn them, that they be not guilty towards YHWH, and so wrath come upon you and upon your brethren; thus shall ye do, and ye shall not be guilty.

10  Whatsoever man of your brethren that dwell in their cities shall bring the cause that comes before you, between blood and blood, and between precept and commandment, and ordinances and judgements, ye shall even decide for them; so they shall not sin against the Lord, and there shall not be wrath upon you, and upon your brethren: thus ye shall do, and ye shall not sin.

10  Every case that will come to you from your brothers, who live in their cities, between kindred and kindred, wherever there is a question concerning law, commandment, ceremonies, or justifications, reveal it to them, so that they may not sin against the Lord, and so that wrath may not overwhelm you and your brothers. Then, by acting in this way, you will not sin.

19:11  And, behold, Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of YHWH; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, in all the king's matters; also the officers of the Levites before you. Deal courageously, and the YHWH be with the good.'

11  But Amariah, a priest and your high priest, shall preside over those things which pertain to God. Then Zebadiah, the son of Ishmael, who is a ruler in the house of Judah, shall be over those works that pertain to the office of the king. And you have before you the Levites as teachers. Be strengthened and act diligently, and the Lord will be with you for what is good.”

11  And, behold, I have appointed priests over you, that they may judge just and faithful judgments according to the commandment of the LORD. And Zechariah the son of Shemiah declared to all the people of Judah all the commandments of the king; he also declared to the scribes and the Levites, repeating everything before them, saying, Deal courageously, and the LORD will help you for ever.