1 And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead, and strengthened himself against Israel. 2 And he placed forces in all the fortified cities of Judah, and set garrisons in the land of Judah, and in the cities of Ephraim, which Asa his father had taken. 3 And Jehovah was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto the Baalim, 4 but sought to the God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not after the doings of Israel. 5 Therefore Jehovah established the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat tribute; and he had riches and honor in abundance. 6 And his heart was lifted up in the ways of Jehovah: and furthermore he took away the high places and the Asherim out of Judah.

7 Also in the third year of his reign he sent his princes, even Ben-hail, and Obadiah, and Zechariah, and Nethanel, and Micaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah; 8 and with them the Levites, even Shemaiah, and Nethaniah, and Zebadiah, and Asahel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehonathan, and Adonijah, and Tobijah, and Tob-adonijah, the Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, the priests. 9 And they taught in Judah, having the book of the law of Jehovah with them; and they went about throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught among the people.

10 And the fear of Jehovah fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat. 11 And some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents, and silver for tribute; the Arabians also brought him flocks, seven thousand and seven hundred rams, and seven thousand and seven hundred he-goats. 12 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly; and he built in Judah castles and cities of store. 13 And he had many works in the cities of Judah; and men of war, mighty men of valor, in Jerusalem. 14 And this was the numbering of them according to their fathers’ houses: Of Judah, the captains of thousands: Adnah the captain, and with him mighty men of valor three hundred thousand; 15 and next to him Jehohanan the captain, and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand; 16 and next to him Amasiah the son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself unto Jehovah; and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor. 17 And of Benjamin: Eliada a mighty man of valor, and with him two hundred thousand armed with bow and shield; 18 and next to him Jehozabad, and with him a hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for war. 19 These were they that waited on the king, besides those whom the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah.

1 Seu filho Josafá sucedeu-lhe no trono. Ele se fortificou contra Israel.

2 Colocou tropas em todas as cidades fortes de Judá, guarnições em toda a terra e nas cidades de Efraim das quais se tinha apoderado seu pai Asa.

3 O Senhor estava com Josafá, porque este seguia os exemplos que, a princípio, dera seu pai: não corria atrás dos Baal,

4 mas só procurava o Deus de seus pais, observando seus mandamentos, sem fazer nada de semelhante ao que fazia Israel.

5 Por isso o Senhor confirmou o poder em suas mãos. Todo o Judá lhe trazia presentes; teve riqueza em abundância e glória.

6 Cheio de confiança na obra do Senhor, fez desaparecer de Judá os lugares altos e os ídolos asserás.

7 No terceiro ano de seu reinado, enviou seus chefes, Benail, Obdias, Zacarias, Natanael e Miquéias, para que ensinassem nas cidades de Judá.

8 Ele os fez acompanhar pelos levitas Semeías, Natanias, Zabadias, Asael, Semiramot, Jonatã, Adonias, Tobias, Tobadonias, e pelos sacerdotes Elisama e Jorão.

9 Ensinaram em Judá, levando consigo o livro da lei do Senhor, e percorreram todas as cidades de Judá, instruindo o povo.

10 O terror do Senhor difundiu-se em todos os reinos que cercavam Judá, os quais se abstiveram de fazer guerra a Josafá.

11 Mesmo os filisteus vieram trazer a Josafá presentes e um tributo em prata; os árabes também lhe trouxeram gado miúdo: sete mil e setecentos carneiros e sete mil e setecentos bodes.

12 Josafá aumentava seu poder. Construiu em Judá fortalezas e cidades de entrepostos.

13 Realizou grandes trabalhos nas cidades de Judá. Havia em Jerusalém guerreiros cheios de valentia.

14 Eis a sua enumeração segundo suas famílias: de Judá, os chefes de milhares eram: o chefe Adna, com trezentos mil valentes guerreiros;

15 ao seu lado o chefe Joanã, com duzentos e oitenta mil valentes guerreiros;

16 ao seu lado Amasias, filho de Zecri, voluntariamente consagrado ao Senhor, com duzentos mil valentes guerreiros.

17 De Benjamim: o valoroso Eliada, com duzentos mil homens providos de arcos e de escudos;

18 ao seu lado Josabad, com quatrocentos e vinte mil homens equipados para a guerra.

19 Essas eram as pessoas a serviço do rei, além das guarnições colocadas por ele nas fortalezas da terra de Judá.