Second Book of Chronicles 19

¹ Jehoshaphat came back safe and sound to Jerusalem.

² Jehu, son of Hanani the seer, went to meet him and said to King Jehoshaphat, ‘Should a man give help to the wicked? Should you love those who hate Yahweh and so bring his wrath on you?

³ There is some good in you, however, since you have removed the sacred poles from the land and have set your heart on seeking God.’

⁴ After a stay in Jerusalem, Jehoshaphat made another progress through his people, from Beersheba to the highlands of Ephraim, to bring them back to Yahweh, the God of their ancestors.

⁵ He appointed judges in the country in every one of all the fortified towns of Judah.

⁶ He said to these judges, ‘Give due thought to your duties, since you are not judging in the name of men but in the name of Yahweh, who is with you whenever you pronounce sentence.

⁷ May the fear of Yahweh now be on you. Keep the Law, apply it, for Yahweh our God has no part in fraud or partiality or the taking of bribes.’

⁸ In addition, Jehoshaphat appointed priests, Levites and heads of Israelite families in Jerusalem to pronounce the verdicts of Yahweh and to judge disputed cases. They lived in Jerusalem

⁹ and Jehoshaphat gave them the following instructions, ‘You are to perform these duties in the fear of Yahweh, faithfully and with all your heart.

¹⁰ Whatever dispute comes before you from your brothers living in their towns: a question of blood-vengeance, of the Law, of some commandment, of statute, or of ordinance, you are to clarify these matters for them so that they do not incur guilt before Yahweh, whose wrath will otherwise come on you and your brothers. Do this and you will incur no guilt.

¹¹ Amariah, the chief priest, will preside over you in all religious matters, and son of Ishmael, controller of the House of Judah, in all matters affecting the king. The Levites will serve as your scribes. Be resolute, carry out these instructions, and Yahweh will be there to bring success.’