2 Chronicles 19

Jehoshaphat king of Judah returned in peace to his house in Jerusalem. Jehu the seer, son of Hanani, went out to meet him and said to King Jehoshaphat, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? Because of this, wrath from the LORD is upon you. Nevertheless, good things have been found in you, for you removed the Asherah poles from the land and set your heart on seeking God.” Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem. He 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. He appointed judges in the land, in all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city. He said to the judges, “Consider what you are doing, for you judge for the LORD, not for human beings. He is with you when you render judgment. Now let the fear of the LORD be upon you. Be careful in what you do, for with the LORD our God there is no injustice, partiality, or taking of bribes.” In Jerusalem Jehoshaphat also appointed some of the Levites, priests, and heads of Israel's ancestral families to administer the judgment of the LORD and settle disputes. They returned to Jerusalem. He charged them, saying, “This is how you must act: in the fear of the LORD, faithfully and with an undivided heart. Whenever a dispute comes before you from your brothers living in their cities, whether concerning bloodshed or law, commandment, statutes, and ordinances, warn them so they do not incur guilt before the LORD, and wrath does not come upon you and your brothers. Do this, and you will not incur guilt. Amariah the chief priest is over you in every matter of the LORD, and Zebadiah son of Ishmael, the leader of the house of Judah, in every matter of the king. The Levites will serve before you as officers. Be strong and act, and may the LORD be with those who do good.”

Rights and attribution