“ There was a judge in a certain city,” he said,“ who neither feared God nor cared about people.

说：“某城里有一个官，不惧怕神，也不尊重世人。

他说：“某城有一个官，不惧怕上帝，也不尊重人。

他说：“某城有一个官，不惧怕神，也不尊重人。

祂说：“某城有一位既不敬畏上帝也不尊重人的审判官。

他说：“某城里有一个法官，不惧怕神，也不尊敬人。

他说：“某城里有一个审判官，他既不敬畏神，也不尊重人。

說：「某城裏有一個官，不懼怕神，也不尊重世人。

他說：「某城有一個官，不懼怕上帝，也不尊重人。

他說：「某城有一個官，不懼怕神，也不尊重人。

祂說：「某城有一位既不敬畏上帝也不尊重人的審判官。

他說：“某城裡有一個法官，不懼怕神，也不尊敬人。

他說：『某城裏有一個審判官不敬畏上帝，也不尊敬人。

他說：「某城裡有一個審判官，他既不敬畏神，也不尊重人。

曰、邑有士師、不畏上帝、不禮世人、

曰、邑有士師、不畏上帝、不禮世人、

曰、某邑有一士師、不畏天主、不禮世人、

曰『昔有邑宰、不敬天主、無恤於人。

He said:“ In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought.

He said,“ In a certain town there was a judge. He didn’t have any respect for God or care about what people thought.

He said,“ In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man.

“ There was a judge in a certain town who didn’t fear God or respect people.

saying,“ In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and did not respect any person.

saying:“ There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man.

saying, There was in a city a judge, who feared not God, and regarded not man:

“ There was a judge in a certain town who didn’t fear God or respect man.

Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:

He said,“ In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected people.

saying,“ There was a judge in a certain city who didn’t fear God, and didn’t respect man.

The godly care about the rights of the poor; the wicked don’t care at all.

The judge ignored her for a while, but finally he said to himself,‘ I don’t fear God or care about people,

“ Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”“ They rush to commit murder.Destruction and misery always follow them.They don’t know where to find peace.”“ They have no fear of God at all.”

I said,“ Listen, you leaders of Israel! You are supposed to know right from wrong,but you are the very ones who hate good and love evil. You skin my people alive and tear the flesh from their bones.Yes, you eat my people’s flesh, strip off their skin, and break their bones. You chop them up like meat for the cooking pot.

“ Every leader in Israel who lives within your walls is bent on murder.Fathers and mothers are treated with contempt. Foreigners are forced to pay for protection. Orphans and widows are wronged and oppressed among you.You despise my holy things and violate my Sabbath days of rest.

“ Those were the days when I went to the city gate and took my place among the honored leaders.The young stepped aside when they saw me, and even the aged rose in respect at my coming.The princes stood in silence and put their hands over their mouths.The highest officials of the city stood quietly, holding their tongues in respect.“ All who heard me praised me. All who saw me spoke well of me.For I assisted the poor in their need and the orphans who required help.I helped those without hope, and they blessed me. And I caused the widows’ hearts to sing for joy.Everything I did was honest. Righteousness covered me like a robe, and I wore justice like a turban.I served as eyes for the blind and feet for the lame.I was a father to the poor and assisted strangers who needed help.I broke the jaws of godless oppressors and plucked their victims from their teeth.

O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth! Your glory is higher than the heavens.You have taught children and infants to tell of your strength, silencing your enemies and all who oppose you.When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers— the moon and the stars you set in place—what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them?

But select from all the people some capable, honest men who fear God and hate bribes. Appoint them as leaders over groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten.They should always be available to solve the people’s common disputes, but have them bring the major cases to you. Let the leaders decide the smaller matters themselves. They will help you carry the load, making the task easier for you.

Even so, there is some good in you, for you have removed the Asherah poles throughout the land, and you have committed yourself to seeking God.”Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem, but he went out among the people, traveling from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim, encouraging the people to return to the Lord, the God of their ancestors.He appointed judges throughout the nation in all the fortified towns,and he said to them,“ Always think carefully before pronouncing judgment. Remember that you do not judge to please people but to please the Lord. He will be with you when you render the verdict in each case.Fear the Lord and judge with integrity, for the Lord our God does not tolerate perverted justice, partiality, or the taking of bribes.”In Jerusalem, Jehoshaphat appointed some of the Levites and priests and clan leaders in Israel to serve as judges for cases involving the Lord’s regulations and for civil disputes.These were his instructions to them:“ You must always act in the fear of the Lord, with faithfulness and an undivided heart.

He gave justice and help to the poor and needy, and everything went well for him. Isn’t that what it means to know me?” says the Lord.“ But you! You have eyes only for greed and dishonesty! You murder the innocent, oppress the poor, and reign ruthlessly.”

Your roads are deserted; no one travels them anymore. The Assyrians have broken their peace treaty and care nothing for the promises they made before witnesses. They have no respect for anyone.