1 When King Jehoshaphat of Judah returned home safely to Jerusalem,map For location see Map5-B1; Map6-F3; Map7-E2; Map8-F2; Map10-B3; JP1-F4; JP2-F4; JP3-F4; JP4-F4.

2 the prophettn Or “seer.” Jehu son of Hanani confronted him;tn Heb “went out to his face.” he said to King Jehoshaphat, “Is it right to help the wicked and be an ally of those who oppose the Lord?tn Heb “and love those who hate the Lord?” Because you have done this the Lord is angry with you!tn Heb “and because of this upon you is anger from before the Lord.”

3 Nevertheless you have done some good things;tn Heb “nevertheless good things are found with you.” you removedtn Here בָּעַר (ba’ar) is not the well attested verb “burn,” but the less common homonym meaning “devastate, sweep away, remove.” See HALOT 146 s.v. II בער. the Asherah poles from the land and you were determined to follow the Lord.”tn Heb “and you set your heart to seek the Lord.”

4 Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem.map For location see Map5-B1; Map6-F3; Map7-E2; Map8-F2; Map10-B3; JP1-F4; JP2-F4; JP3-F4; JP4-F4. He went out among the people from Beer Sheba to the hill country of Ephraim and encouraged them to followtn Heb “and turned them back to.” the Lord God of their ancestors.tn Heb “fathers.”

5 He appointed judges throughout the land and in each of the fortified cities of Judah.tn Heb “in all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city.”

6 He told the judges, “Be careful what you do,tn Heb “see what you are doing.” for you are not judging for men, but for the Lord, who will be with you when you make judicial decisions.

7 Respect the Lord and make careful decisions, for the Lord our God disapproves of injustice, partiality, and bribery.”tn Heb “and now let the terror of the Lord be upon you, be careful and act for there is not with the Lord our God injustice, lifting up of a face, and taking a bribe.”

8 In Jerusalem Jehoshaphat appointed some Levites, priests, and Israelite family leaders to judge on behalf of the Lordtn Heb “for the judgment of the Lord.” and to settle disputes among the residents of Jerusalem.tc Heb “and to conduct a case [or “for controversy”], and they returned [to] Jerusalem.” Some emend וַיָּשֻׁבוּ (vayyashuvu, “and they returned”) to וַיֵּשְׁבוּ (vayyeshÿvu, “and they lived [in]”). The present translation assumes an emendation to יֹשְׁבֵי (yoshÿvey, “residents of”).

9 He commanded them: “Carry out your duties with respect for the Lord, with honesty, and with pure motives.tn Heb “This you must do with the fear of the Lord, with honesty, and with a complete heart.”

10 Whenever your countrymen who live in the cities bring a case before youtn Heb “and every case which comes to you from your brothers who live in their cities.” (whether it involves a violent crimetn Heb “between blood pertaining to blood.” or other matters related to the law, commandments, rules, and regulations), warn them that they must not sin against the Lord. If you fail to do so, God will be angry with you and your colleagues; but if you obey, you will be free of guilt.tn Heb “and anger will be upon you and your brothers; do this and you will not be guilty.”

11 You will report to Amariah the chief priest in all matters pertaining to the Lord’s law, and to Zebadiah son of Ishmael, the leader of the family of Judah, in all matters pertaining to the king.tn Heb “and look, Amariah the chief priest is over you with respect to every matter of the Lord, and Zebadiah…with respect to every matter of the king.” The Levites will serve as officials before you. Confidently carry out your duties!tn Heb “Be strong and act!” May the Lord be with those who do well!”