1 Jehoshaphat king of Judah came back safely to his palace in Jerusalem.
2 Jehu son of Hanani the seer went out to face him and said to King Jehoshaphat, "Is it right to help the wicked and to love those who hate the LORD? For this, wrath from the LORD is upon you.
3 Yet there are good things found in you: you have cleared the Asherim out of the land and have resolved in your heart to seek God."
4 Jehoshaphat stayed in Jerusalem. Then he went out again among the people from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim and turned them back to the LORD God of their fathers.
5 He set up judges throughout the land, in each of the fortress cities of Judah.
6 He told the judges, "Watch what you do, for you are not judging on behalf of man but on behalf of the LORD, who is with you when you pronounce a verdict.
7 So let the fear of the LORD be on you; act carefully, for the LORD our God will have nothing to do with wrongdoing, favoritism, or bribery."
8 In Jerusalem, too, Jehoshaphat appointed Levites, priests, and heads of Israel's fathers' houses to judge for the LORD and to settle disputes. Then they returned to Jerusalem.
9 He instructed them: "You must act this way, in the fear of the LORD, faithfully and wholeheartedly.
10 In every case your brothers living in their cities bring before you, whether it concerns bloodshed or questions of law, commandment, statutes, or judgments, you must warn them not to become guilty before the LORD, or wrath will come on you and your brothers. Act this way and you will not be guilty.
11 Note that Amariah the chief priest is over you in every matter of the LORD, and Zebadiah son of Ishmael, the leader of the house of Judah, in every matter of the king. The Levites will serve as officials before you. Act boldly, and may the LORD be with those who do good."