2 Chronicles 19:5-11

19:5 He appointed judges throughout the land and in each of the fortified cities of Judah. 1  19:6 He told the judges, “Be careful what you do, 2  for you are not judging for men, but for the Lord, who will be with you when you make judicial decisions. 19:7 Respect the Lord and make careful decisions, for the Lord our God disapproves of injustice, partiality, and bribery.” 3 

19:8 In Jerusalem Jehoshaphat appointed some Levites, priests, and Israelite family leaders to judge on behalf of the Lord 4  and to settle disputes among the residents of Jerusalem. 5  19:9 He commanded them: “Carry out your duties with respect for the Lord, with honesty, and with pure motives. 6  19:10 Whenever your countrymen who live in the cities bring a case before you 7  (whether it involves a violent crime 8  or other matters related to the law, commandments, rules, and regulations), warn them that they must not sin against the Lord. If you fail to do so, God will be angry with you and your colleagues; but if you obey, you will be free of guilt. 9  19:11 You will report to Amariah the chief priest in all matters pertaining to the Lord’s law, and to Zebadiah son of Ishmael, the leader of the family of Judah, in all matters pertaining to the king. 10  The Levites will serve as officials before you. Confidently carry out your duties! 11  May the Lord be with those who do well!”

1 tn Heb “in all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city.”

2 tn Heb “see what you are doing.”

3 tn Heb “and now let the terror of the Lord be upon you, be careful and act for there is not with the Lord our God injustice, lifting up of a face, and taking a bribe.”

4 tn Heb “for the judgment of the Lord.”

5 tc Heb “and to conduct a case [or “for controversy”], and they returned [to] Jerusalem.” Some emend וַיָּשֻׁבוּ (vayyashuvu, “and they returned”) to וַיֵּשְׁבוּ (vayyeshÿvu, “and they lived [in]”). The present translation assumes an emendation to יֹשְׁבֵי (yoshÿvey, “residents of”).

6 tn Heb “This you must do with the fear of the Lord, with honesty, and with a complete heart.”

7 tn Heb “and every case which comes to you from your brothers who live in their cities.”

8 tn Heb “between blood pertaining to blood.”

9 tn Heb “and anger will be upon you and your brothers; do this and you will not be guilty.”

10 tn Heb “and look, Amariah the chief priest is over you with respect to every matter of the Lord, and Zebadiah…with respect to every matter of the king.”

11 tn Heb “Be strong and act!”