先知斥责约沙法
犹大王约沙法平安回耶路撒冷,到自己的宫里。
And Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem.
2哈拿尼的儿子耶户先见出来迎接约沙法王,对他说:“你怎么可以帮助恶人,爱那恨耶和华的人呢?因此耶和华的愤怒临到你了。And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the LORD? therefore is wrath upon thee from before the LORD.
3然而你还有善行,因你从国中除掉亚舍拉,立定心意寻求神。”约沙法的改革
Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast taken away the groves out of the land, and hast prepared thine heart to seek God.
4约沙法住在耶路撒冷,以后又出巡民间,从别是巴直到以法莲山区,引导百姓归向耶和华-他们列祖的神。And Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem: and he went out again through the people from Beersheba to mount Ephraim, and brought them back unto the LORD God of their fathers.
5他在国中,在犹大一切坚固城设立审判官,各城都是如此。And he set judges in the land throughout all the fenced cities of Judah, city by city,
6他对审判官说:“你们应当谨慎所做的事,因为你们审判不是为人,而是为耶和华。在审判的事上,他必与你们同在。And said to the judges, Take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the LORD, who is with you in the judgment.
7现在,你们应当敬畏耶和华,谨慎办事,因为耶和华-我们的神没有不义,不看人的情面,也不受贿赂。”Wherefore now let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts.
8约沙法从利未人和祭司,以及以色列族长中,也委派人在耶路撒冷为耶和华施行审判,为耶路撒冷的居民听讼断案☛“为耶路撒冷的居民听讼断案”是根据七十士译本;原文是“听讼断案。他们就回耶路撒冷去了”。。Moreover in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set of the Levites, and of the priests, and of the chief of the fathers of Israel, for the judgment of the LORD, and for controversies, when they returned to Jerusalem.
9约沙法吩咐他们说:“你们当这样,以敬畏耶和华、诚实和纯正的心办事。And he charged them, saying, Thus shall ye do in the fear of the LORD, faithfully, and with a perfect heart.
10你们住在各城的弟兄,若有争讼的案件呈到你们这里,或为流血,或犯律法、诫命、律例、典章,你们要警戒他们,免得他们得罪耶和华,以致愤怒临到你们和你们的弟兄;你们当这样行,就没有罪了。And what cause soever shall come to you of your brethren that dwell in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and judgments, ye shall even warn them that they trespass not against the LORD, and so wrath come upon you, and upon your brethren: this do, and ye shall not trespass.
11看哪,凡属耶和华的事,有亚玛利雅祭司长管理你们;凡属王的事,有犹大家的领袖以实玛利的儿子西巴第雅管理你们;在你们面前有利未人作官长。你们应当壮胆办事,愿耶和华与善人同在。”And, behold, Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of the LORD; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, for all the king's matters: also the Levites shall be officers before you. Deal courageously, and the LORD shall be with the good.