2 Chronicles 19

1Jehoshaphat king of Judah returned safely to his palace in Jerusalem.

2Jehu son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him and said to King Jehoshaphat, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate Yahweh? Because of this, wrath from Yahweh is on you.

3Nevertheless, some good is found in you, for you have removed the Asherah poles from the land and have set your heart to seek God.”

4Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem. He went out again among the people from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim and brought them back to Yahweh, the God of their ancestors.

5He appointed judges in the land, in all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city.

6He said to the judges, “Consider what you are doing, for you are not judging for human beings but for Yahweh. He is with you when you give a verdict.

7Now let the fear of Yahweh be on you. Be careful what you do, for with Yahweh our God there is no injustice, no partiality, and no taking of bribes.”

8In Jerusalem also Jehoshaphat appointed some of the Levites and priests and some of the heads of Israel’s ancestral houses to give judgment for Yahweh and to decide disputes. Then they returned to Jerusalem.

9He commanded them, “This is how you must act: in the fear of Yahweh, faithfully and with a whole heart.

10Whenever a case comes to you from your fellow Israelites who live in their cities, whether it concerns bloodshed or questions of law, commandment, statutes, or ordinances, you must warn them not to incur guilt before Yahweh, or wrath will come on you and on them. Do this, and you will not incur guilt.

11Amariah the chief priest will be over you in every matter concerning Yahweh, and Zebadiah son of Ishmael, the leader of the house of Judah, in every matter concerning the king. The Levites will serve as officials before you. Act with courage, and may Yahweh be with those who do what is good.”