1Then Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned in safety to his house in Jerusalem.

2And Jehu the 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 the Lord, and Lit by thisby doing so bring wrath on yourself from the Lord?

3But Lit good things are foundthere is some good in you, for you have removed the I.e., wooden symbols of a female deityAsheroth from the land and you have set your heart to seek God.”

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

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 do not judge for mankind but for the Lord who is with you Lit in the word of judgmentwhen you render judgment.

7Now then, let the fear of the Lord be upon you; be careful Lit and doabout what you do, for Lit it is not with the Lord our Godthe Lord our God will have no part in injustice or partiality, or in the taking of a bribe.”

8In Jerusalem Jehoshaphat also appointed some of the Levites and priests, and some of the heads of the fathers’ households of Israel, for the judgment of the Lord, and As in ancient versions; MT for the dispute. And they returned to Jerusalem; or And they lived in Jerusalemto judge disputes among the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

9Then he commanded them, saying, “This is what you shall do in the fear of the Lord, faithfully and wholeheartedly.

10Whenever any dispute comes to you from your countrymen who live in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and ordinances, you shall warn them so that they will not be guilty before the Lord, and wrath will not come on you and your countrymen. This you shall do and you will not be guilty.

11Behold, Amariah the chief priest will be over you in every matter Lit ofthat pertains to the Lord, and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, in all that pertains to the king. Also the Levites shall be officers before you. Lit Be strong and doAct resolutely, and may the Lord be with the upright.”