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king of Judah returned safely to his palace in Jerusalem. 2 Then Jehu 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, the wrath of the Lord is upon you. 3 However, some good is found in you, for you have removed the Asherah poles from the land, and have set your heart on seeking God.”
4 Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem, and 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. 5 He appointed judges in the land, in all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city. 6 He told the judges, “Consider what you are doing, because you do not judge for man, but for the Lord, who is with you whenever you make judgment. 7 Now let the fear of the Lord be upon you; be careful in what you do, for there is no injustice, or partiality, or the taking of bribes with the Lord our God.”
8 In Jerusalem also, Jehoshaphat appointed some of the Levites, priests, and heads of the families of Israel to give judgment for the Lord and to settle disputes. They lived at Jerusalem. 9 He gave them this command: “This is what you shall do in the fear of the Lord, faithfully and wholeheartedly: 10 whenever any dispute comes to you from your brothers who dwell in their cities—whether bloodshed, law, commandment, statutes, or judgments—you are to warn them, so they will not incur guilt before the Lord and wrath may not come on you and your brothers. Do this and you will not incur guilt.
11 “Be aware that Amariah, the chief priest, will be over you in all matters concerning the Lord, and Zebadiah son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, in all matters concerning the king, and the Levites will serve as officials before you. Act with courage, and may the Lord be with those who do what is good.”