2 Chronicles Chapter 19
Showing all 11 verses for 2 Chronicles Chapter 19.
The People's Bible is written by people, for the people. Each verse below shows:
"And Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem. "
"Jehoshaphat returned home safely to Jerusalem."
Just because you got away with something doesn't mean it was the right choice - I still want you to look honestly at your decisions, not just at whether you escaped the consequences.
"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. "
"The prophet Jehu, son of Hanani, came out to meet him and said, 'Should you really be helping wicked people and befriending those who hate the LORD? Because of this, judgement is coming against you.'"
I correct the people I love precisely because I love them - not to shame them, but to protect them from repeating a mistake. Don't be afraid of honest feedback from someone who has your genuine good at heart.
"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. "
"'Even so,' Jehu continued, 'there is good in you - you removed the pagan Asherah poles from the land and you've set your heart on seeking God.'"
I never define you by your worst moment, and I never pretend your good doesn't count either. When I correct you, it's always alongside recognising the real good already in you.
"And Jehoshaphat 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. "
💡 Highlighted words feature Jacobean 1611 tooltips to clarify shifted 17th-century English terms.
"Jehoshaphat settled back in Jerusalem, but he also went out again among the people, from Beersheba in the south to the hill country of Ephraim in the north, turning them back to the LORD, the God of their ancestors."
When I correct you, I hope you respond the way Jehoshaphat does here - not with defensiveness, but by quietly getting back to doing what's right. That's what real humility looks like in action.
"And he set judges in the land throughout all the fenced cities of Judah, city by city, "
"He appointed judges throughout the land, in every fortified city of Judah, one by one."
I care about justice reaching everyone, not just the people close to power. Build real, lasting structures for fairness in your own life and community, not just good feelings about it.
"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. "
"He told the judges, 'Be careful how you act - you're not judging on behalf of people, but on behalf of the LORD, who is right there with you as you judge.'"
Whatever role you have - however small it seems - do it as though it genuinely matters, because it does. I'm present in the ordinary decisions of your day, not just the dramatic ones.
"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. "
"'So let a healthy respect for the LORD guide you - be careful and do this well, because our God shows no injustice, no favouritism, and cannot be bribed.'"
Treat people the same regardless of their status, wealth, or what they can offer you - that's what real fairness looks like, and it's the standard I hold myself to as well. Refuse to let anyone's power or gifts sway what you know to be right.
"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. "
"In Jerusalem itself, Jehoshaphat also appointed some of the Levites, priests, and family leaders to handle matters of religious law and legal disputes, for people who came to Jerusalem seeking a ruling."
Good systems account for complexity - not every situation fits a simple rule, and I want you to build in room for wisdom and appeal when things aren't straightforward. Justice done well takes real thought and structure.
"And he charged them, saying, Thus shall ye do in the fear of the LORD, faithfully, and with a perfect heart. "
"He instructed them, 'This is how you must act: with reverence for the LORD, faithfully, and with complete sincerity.'"
Skill and knowledge matter, but character is what actually makes someone trustworthy in a position of responsibility. I care far more about the sincerity of your heart than the impressiveness of your credentials.
"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. "
"'Whatever case comes to you from your fellow Israelites in their cities - disputes over bloodshed, over which law or command applies, over rules and regulations - warn them not to sin against the LORD, or judgement will fall on you and them. Do this, and you'll stay blameless.'"
If you're ever in a position to guide or correct someone, take that responsibility seriously - how you handle it matters, both for them and for you. Influence over others' choices is never neutral.
"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. "
"'Amariah the high priest will be your leader in religious matters, and Zebadiah, ruler of the house of Judah, in civil matters concerning the king; the Levites will serve as your officials. Be brave and act well, and the LORD will be with those who do right.'"
Doing what's right often takes courage, not just knowledge of what's right - and I promise to be with you when you choose the harder, honest path. Clarity about who's responsible for what also helps good intentions actually become reality.