4 Yehoshafat lived in Yerushalem but one time he went out to the people of Beer-Sheva in the Efrayim hill country and encouraged them back to Yahweh, the god of their ancestors. 5 He appointed judges in Yehudah’s fortified cities to serve across the country, 6 and he told them, “Take care in what you all do, because you’re not serving men as judges, but serving Yahweh when you make judicial decisions. 7 So revere Yahweh and judge cases carefully, because our god Yahweh doesn’t tolerate injustice, partiality, or bribery.”

8 Yehoshafat also appointed some Levites and priests in Yerushalem, as well as leaders from some Israeli families to be judges on Yahweh’s behalf based in Yerushalem, 9 and he instructed them, “You all must revere Yahweh and be trustworthy and sincere. 10 When any of your fellow Israelis who live in the cities bring any case to you involving violent crime, interpreting laws or regulations, etc., you must caution them so they won’t sin against Yahweh and induce his anger to come on you all or them, so do that and you won’t be guilty. 11 And listen, the chief priest Amaryah is over you all in any religious matter, and Yishmael’s son Zevady is the leader of Yehudah for any civil matter concerning the king. Also you have the Levite officials to assist you all. Act with courage and let Yahweh assist those doing what’s right.”