2 Chronicles

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

1Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, got home safely. He went back to his house in Jerusalem.

2And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the LORD? therefore is wrath upon thee from before the LORD.

2Jehu, the son of Hanani, was a seer. That means God showed him things and he told people. Jehu went out to meet the king. He said, "Should you help wicked people? Should you love people who hate the LORD? Because you did, the LORD is angry with you.

NoteThe KJV says "ungodly." It means people who did evil and did not follow God.

3Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast taken away the groves out of the land, and hast prepared thine heart to seek God.

3Still, there is some good in you. You took the Asherah poles out of the land. Those poles were used to worship false gods. And you have made up your mind to look for God."

4And Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem: and he went out again through the people from Beersheba to mount Ephraim, and brought them back unto the LORD God of their fathers.

4Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem. He went out among the people again. He traveled from Beersheba all the way to the hills of Ephraim. He brought the people back to the LORD, the God of their families long ago.

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

5He chose judges for the land. He put judges in every walled city of Judah.

6And said to the judges, Take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the LORD, who is with you in the judgment.

6He said to the judges, "Be careful what you do. You are not judging for people. You are judging for the LORD. He is with you when you decide.

7Wherefore now let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts.

7So respect the LORD in all you do. Be careful and do your work well. The LORD our God is never unfair. He does not treat one person better than another. He never takes money to change his mind."

8Moreover in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set of the Levites, and of the priests, and of the chief of the fathers of Israel, for the judgment of the LORD, and for controversies, when they returned to Jerusalem.

8In Jerusalem, Jehoshaphat also chose some Levites and priests. Levites were men who helped with worship. He chose leaders of families too. Their job was to judge for the LORD and settle arguments. They lived in Jerusalem.

9And he charged them, saying, Thus shall ye do in the fear of the LORD, faithfully, and with a perfect heart.

9He told them what to do. He said, "Do your work with respect for the LORD. Be honest, and give it your whole heart.

10And what cause soever shall come to you of your brethren that dwell in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and judgments, ye shall even warn them that they trespass not against the LORD, and so wrath come upon you, and upon your brethren: this do, and ye shall not trespass.

10Your fellow Israelites live in other towns. They will bring you arguments to settle. Some may be about killing. Some may be about other rules and laws God gave. When they come, warn them not to sin against the LORD. If you do not, God will be angry with you and with them. Do this, and you will not be guilty.

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

11Listen. Amariah is the chief priest. He is over you in everything about the LORD. Zebadiah, the son of Ishmael, leads the family of Judah. He is over you in everything about the king. The Levites will serve as officers to help you. Be brave and do your work. May the LORD be with those who do right."