2 Летопись 19

Jehoshaphat appoints judges

¹Jehoshaphat king of Judah returned safely to his palace in Jerusalem. ²Jehu son of Hanani the seer came out to meet the king. He said to Jehoshaphat, “Is it right for you to help the wicked and to love those who hate the LORD? For this, wrath has come upon you from the LORD. ³Yet there is good in you, for you have rid the land of the Asherah poles and have set your heart on seeking God.” ⁴Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem, but once more he went out among the people, from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim. He brought them back to the LORD, their ancestors’ God. ⁵He appointed judges throughout the land, in all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city. ⁶He said to the judges, “Think about what you are doing. You are not judging for human beings but for the LORD, and He is with you when you give a verdict.^{a 7}So now, let the fear of the LORD be upon you. Be careful in what you do, for the LORD our God does no wrong, plays no favorites and takes no bribe.” ⁸In Jerusalem also Jehoshaphat appointed some of the Levites and priests and some of the heads of Israel’s families, to give judgment for the LORD and to settle disputes. And they returned to Jerusalem.^{b 9}He gave them this charge: “This is how you must act: in the fear of the LORD, faithfully, and with an undivided heart. ¹⁰Whenever a case comes to you from your fellow Israelites who live in their cities, whether it concerns bloodshed, or law and commandment, statutes and rulings, you must warn them, so that they do not incur guilt before the LORD and wrath fall on you and your fellow Israelites. Do this, and you will not incur guilt. ¹¹Amariah the chief priest will be over you in every matter that concerns the LORD. In every matter that concerns the king, Zebadiah son of Ishmael, ruler of the house of Judah, will be over you. The Levites will serve you as officials. Act with courage, and may the LORD be with those who do good.”