2 Whakapapa 19

1 Na hoki marie ana a Iehohapata ki tona whare, ki Hiruharama.

Once Jehoshaphat had arrived safely home in Jerusalem,

2 A ka puta te matakite, a Iehu tama a Hanani, ki te whakatau i a ia, ka mea ki a Kingi Iehohapata, Me awhina ianei e koe te tangata kino, me aroha ki te hunga e kino ana ki a Ihowa? Na he riri tenei mou, he mea no te aroaro o Ihowa.

Jehu, son of Hanani, the seer went out to face him. He said to King Jehoshaphat, “Why are you helping the wicked? Why do you love those who hate the Lord? The Lord is angry with you because of this.

3 He ahakoa ra kua kitea etahi mea pai au. I whakakahoretia atu hoki e koe te Aheroto i te whenua; i anga ano tou ngakau ki te rapu i te Atua.

Even so you've done some good things such as destroying the Asherah poles throughout the country, and you have made a sincere commitment to follow God.”

4 Na noho ana a Iehohapata ki Hiruharama, a ka haere atu ano ia puta noa i te iwi, i Peerehepa a tae noa ki te whenua pukepuke o Eparima, a whakahokia ana ratou e ia ki a Ihowa, ki te Atua o o ratou matua.

Jehoshaphat continued living in Jerusalem, and once again he traveled among the people, from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim, to encourage them to serve the Lord, the God of their fathers.

5 I whakaritea ano e ia he kaiwhakawa mo te whenua ki nga pa taiepa katoa o Hura, ki tenei pa, ki tenei pa.

He appointed judges throughout the country, in all of the fortified towns of Judah.

6 I mea ano ia ki nga kaiwhakawa, Kia whai mahara ki ta koutou e mea ai; ehara hoki ta koutou whakarite whakawa i te mea ki te tangata, engari ki a Ihowa; kei a koutou ano ia ina whakawa.

He told the judges, “Be careful about what you're doing as judges, because you're not looking for the approval of people, but the approval of the Lord. He is the One with you when you give your verdict.

7 Na kia tau te wehi o Ihowa ki a koutou, kia mau hoki ki te mahi; kahore hoki o to tatou Atua, o Ihowa, whakahaere he, kahore he whakapai i te tangata, kahore he tango utu.

So then, be sure to have reverence for God, obeying him and doing what he wants, for God does not permit any kind of injustice, favoritism, or bribery.”

8 I whakaritea ano e Iehohapata ki Hiruharama etahi o nga Riwaiti, o nga tohunga, o nga upoko o nga whare o nga matua o Iharaira, mo ta Ihowa whakawa, mo nga tautohetohe. A hoki ana ratou ki Hiruharama.

Jehoshaphat also appointed in Jerusalem some of the Levites, priests, and family heads to act as judges regarding the law of Lord and to settle disputes. They were to have their courts in Jerusalem.

9 I whakahau ano ia i a ratou, i mea, Meatia tenei i runga i te wehi o Ihowa, i te pono, i te ngakau tapatahi.

He gave them these orders, “You must honor God, and act with faithfulness and complete commitment.

10 Ki te tae mai te tautohetohe ki a koutou, he mea na o koutou teina e noho ana i o ratou pa, he toto penei ranei, he toto pera ranei, he ture ranei, he whakaritenga ranei, he whakahau ranei, he tikanga ranei, me whakatupato ratou kia kaua e hara ki a Ihowa, kei takoto he riri mo koutou, mo o koutou tuakana, teina. Meatia tenei, a e kore koutou e whai hara.

In every case that comes before you from your people living in other towns, whether it involves murder or violations of the law, commandment, statutes, or judgments, you are to warn them not to offend the Lord so that punishment does not come upon you and your people. If you do this you will not be held guilty.

11 Nana, ko Amaria tino tohunga hei upoko mo koutou i nga mea katoa a Ihowa; ko Teparia hoki, tama a Ihimaera, rangatira o te whare o Hura, mo nga mea katoa a te kingi: ko nga Riwaiti ano hei rangatira i to koutou aroaro. Kia maia ki te mahi, a ko Ihowa hei hoa mo te pai.

Amariah, the chief priest, will make the final decision for you in everything that relates to the Lord, and Zebadiah, son of Ishmael, the leader of the tribe of Judah, in all that relates to the king. The Levites will serve as officers to assist you. Be firm, and may the Lord be with those who do what is right.”