2 Chronicles 20 – NIRV & NEN

New International Reader’s Version

2 Chronicles 20:1-37

Jehoshaphat Wins the Battle Over Moab and Ammon

1After that, the Moabites, Ammonites and some Meunites went to war against Jehoshaphat.

2Some people came and told him, “A huge army is coming from Edom to fight against you. They have come across the Dead Sea. They are already in Hazezon Tamar.” Hazezon Tamar is also called En Gedi. 3Jehoshaphat was alarmed. So he decided to ask the Lord for advice. He told all the people of Judah to go without eating. 4The people came together to ask the Lord for help. In fact, they came from every town in Judah to pray to him.

5Then Jehoshaphat stood up among the people of Judah and Jerusalem. He was in front of the new courtyard at the Lord’s temple. 6He said,

Lord, you are the God of our people who lived long ago. You are the God who is in heaven. You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. You are strong and powerful. No one can fight against you and win. 7Our God, you drove out the people who lived in this land. You drove them out to make room for your people Israel. You gave this land forever to those who belong to the family line of your friend Abraham. 8They have lived in this land. They’ve built a temple here for your Name. They have said, 9‘Suppose trouble comes on us. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a punishing sword, or plague or hunger. We’ll serve you. We’ll stand in front of this temple where your Name is. We’ll cry out to you when we’re in trouble. Then you will hear us. You will save us.’

10“But here are men from Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir. You wouldn’t allow Israel to march in and attack their territory when the Israelites came from Egypt. So Israel turned away from them. They didn’t destroy them. 11See how they are paying us back. They are coming to drive us out. They want to take over the land you gave us as our share. 12Our God, won’t you please judge them? We don’t have the power to face this huge army that’s attacking us. We don’t know what to do. But we’re looking to you to help us.”

13All the men of Judah stood there in front of the Lord. Their wives, children and little ones were with them.

14Then the Spirit of the Lord came on Jahaziel. He was standing among the people of Israel. He was the son of Zechariah. Zechariah was the son of Benaiah. Benaiah was the son of Jeiel. Jeiel was the son of Mattaniah. Jahaziel was a Levite. He was from the family line of Asaph.

15Jahaziel said, “King Jehoshaphat, listen! All you who live in Judah and Jerusalem, listen! The Lord says to you, ‘Do not be afraid. Do not lose hope because of this huge army. The battle is not yours. It is God’s. 16Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz. You will find them at the end of the valley in the Desert of Jeruel. 17You will not have to fight this battle. Take your positions. Stand firm. You will see how the Lord will save you. Judah and Jerusalem, do not be afraid. Do not lose hope. Go out and face them tomorrow. The Lord will be with you.’ ”

18Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face toward the ground. All the people of Judah and Jerusalem also bowed down. They worshiped the Lord. 19Then some Levites from the families of Kohath and Korah stood up. They praised the Lord, the God of Israel. They praised him with very loud voices.

20Early in the morning all the people left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they started out, Jehoshaphat stood up. He said, “Judah, listen to me! People of Jerusalem, listen to me! Have faith in the Lord your God. He’ll take good care of you. Have faith in his prophets. Then you will have success.” 21Jehoshaphat asked the people for advice. Then he appointed men to sing to the Lord. He wanted them to praise the Lord because of his glory and holiness. They marched out in front of the army. They said,

“Give thanks to the Lord.

His faithful love continues forever.”

22They began to sing and praise him. Then the Lord hid some men and told them to wait. He wanted them to attack the people of Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir. They had gone into Judah and attacked it. But they lost the battle. 23The Ammonites and Moabites rose up against the men from Mount Seir. They destroyed them. They put an end to them. When they finished killing the men from Seir, they destroyed one another.

24The men of Judah came to the place that looks out over the desert. They turned to look down at the huge army. But all they saw was dead bodies lying there on the ground. No one had escaped. 25So Jehoshaphat and his men went down there to carry off anything of value. Among the dead bodies they found a large amount of supplies, clothes and other things of value. There was more than they could take away. There was so much it took three days to collect all of it. 26On the fourth day they gathered together in the Valley of Berakah. There they praised the Lord. That’s why it’s called the Valley of Berakah to this day.

27Then all the men of Judah and Jerusalem returned to Jerusalem. They were filled with joy. Jehoshaphat led them. The Lord had made them happy because all their enemies were dead. 28They entered Jerusalem and went to the Lord’s temple. They were playing harps, lyres and trumpets.

29All the surrounding kingdoms began to have respect for God. They had heard how the Lord had fought against Israel’s enemies. 30The kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace. His God had given him peace and rest on every side.

Jehoshaphat’s Rule Comes to an End

31So Jehoshaphat ruled over Judah. He was 35 years old when he became Judah’s king. He ruled in Jerusalem for 25 years. His mother’s name was Azubah. She was the daughter of Shilhi. 32Jehoshaphat followed the ways of his father Asa. He didn’t wander away from them. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. 33But the high places weren’t removed. The people still hadn’t worshiped the God of Israel with all their hearts.

34The other events of Jehoshaphat’s rule from beginning to end are written down. They are written in the official records of Jehu, the son of Hanani. They are written in the records of the kings of Israel.

35Jehoshaphat king of Judah and Ahaziah king of Israel agreed to be friends. Ahaziah did what was evil. 36Jehoshaphat agreed with him to build a lot of ships. They were built at Ezion Geber. They carried goods that were traded for other goods. 37Eliezer was the son of Dodavahu from Mareshah. Eliezer prophesied against Jehoshaphat. He said, “You have joined forces with Ahaziah. So the Lord will destroy what you have made.” The ships were wrecked. They were never able to sail or trade goods.

Kiswahili Contemporary Version (Neno: Bibilia Takatifu)

2 Nyakati 20:1-37

120:1 1Nya 4:41Ikawa baada ya jambo hili, Wamoabu na Waamoni, pamoja na baadhi ya Wameuni wakaja ili wapigane vita na Yehoshafati.

220:2 Mwa 14:7; Wim 1:14; Yos 15:62; 1Sam 23:29Watu fulani wakaja wakamwambia Yehoshafati, “Jeshi kubwa linakuja dhidi yako kutoka Edomu tokea ngʼambo ile nyingine ya Bahari.20:2 Yaani Bahari ya Chumvi. Tayari liko Hasason-Tamari” (yaani En-Gedi). 320:3 Es 4:16; Isa 58:6; Amu 20:26; Ezr 8:21-23; 1Sam 7:6; Yer 36:9; Yn 3:5Yehoshafati akaogopa, akaazimu kumtafuta Bwana, na akatangaza kwa Yuda wote kufunga. 420:4 Yoe 1:14Watu wa Yuda wakakusanyika pamoja ili kutafuta msaada kutoka kwa Bwana. Wakaja kutoka kila mji wa Yuda ili kumtafuta.

5Kisha Yehoshafati akasimama katika kusanyiko la Yuda na Yerusalemu katika Hekalu la Bwana, mbele ya ua mpya, 620:6 Mt 6:9; Kum 4:39; 1Fal 8:23; 1Nya 29:11-12; Yos 2:11; Isa 57:15; Za 47:2; 62:11; Yer 27:5; Dan 4:17; Mt 6:13akasema:

“Ee Bwana, Mungu wa baba zetu, si wewe ndiwe uliye Mungu mbinguni? Si wewe ndiwe utawalaye juu ya falme zote za mataifa? Uweza na nguvu viko mkononi mwako, wala hakuna yeyote awezaye kushindana nawe. 720:7 Isa 41:8; Yak 2:23; Mwa 17:7; Kut 6:7Je, si wewe, Ee Mungu wetu, uliyewafukuza wenyeji wa nchi hii mbele ya watu wako Israeli, ukawapa wazao wa Abrahamu, rafiki yako, hata milele? 820:8 2Nya 6:20-28Wameishi ndani yake na humo wamekujengea mahali patakatifu kwa ajili ya Jina lako, wakisema: 920:9 1Fal 8:33-37; 2Nya 6:28-29‘Kama maafa yakitujia, ikiwa ni upanga, hukumu, tauni, au njaa, tutasimama mbele zako, mbele ya Hekalu hili ambalo limeitwa kwa Jina lako na kukulilia katika shida yetu, nawe utatusikia na kutuokoa.’

1020:10 Hes 20:14-21; Kum 2:4-6, 9, 18-19“Lakini sasa hawa watu wa kutoka Amoni, Moabu na Mlima Seiri, ambao hukuwaruhusu Israeli wazivamie nchi zao wakati walitoka Misri, hivyo wakageukia mbali nao na hawakuwaangamiza, 1120:11 Za 83:1-12tazama jinsi wanavyotulipa kwa kuja kututupa nje ya milki uliyotupa sisi kuwa urithi. 1220:12 2Kor 3:5; Amu 11:27; Mik 7:7; Za 12:1-2; 1Sam 3:13; Za 46:7-11; Ufu 19:11; Za 25:15Ee Mungu wetu, je, wewe hutawahukumu? Kwa kuwa sisi hatuna uwezo wa kukabiliana na jeshi hili kubwa linalokuja kutushambulia. Sisi hatujui la kufanya, bali macho yetu yanakutazama wewe.”

13Watu wote wa Yuda pamoja na wake zao, watoto wao na wadogo wao wakasimama pale mbele za Bwana.

1420:14 Hes 11:25; 24:2; 1Nya 12:18; 2Nya 15:1; 24:20Ndipo Roho wa Bwana akaja juu ya mtu mmoja jina lake Yahazieli mwana wa Zekaria, mwana wa Benaya, Mwana wa Yeieli, mwana wa Matania, Mlawi mzao wa Asafu alipokuwa amesimama katika kusanyiko.

1520:15 2Nya 32:7; Kut 14:13-14; Za 91:8; Kum 1:29; 31:6-8Akasema: “Sikilizeni, enyi Yuda wote nanyi nyote mkaao Yerusalemu, nawe Mfalme Yehoshafati! Hili ndilo Bwana asemalo kwenu, ‘Msiogope wala msifadhaike kwa sababu ya jeshi hili kubwa. Kwa maana vita hivi si vyenu, bali ni vya Mungu. 16Kesho shukeni kukabiliana nao. Watakwea kwa kupandia Genge la Sisi, nanyi mtawakuta mwisho wa bonde, kabla ya Jangwa la Yerueli. 1720:17 Hes 14:9; 2Nya 15:2; Kut 14:13; 2Nya 32:8; Za 46:7-11; Isa 8:10; Amo 5:14Hamtahitaji kupigana vita hivi. Kaeni kwenye nafasi zenu, simameni imara na mkaone wokovu Bwana atakaowapatia, enyi Yuda na Yerusalemu. Msiogope, wala msifadhaike. Kesho tokeni mwende mkawakabili, naye Bwana atakuwa pamoja nanyi.’ ”

1820:18 Mwa 24:26; Kut 4:31Yehoshafati akainamisha uso wake chini, nao watu wote wa Yuda na Yerusalemu wakaanguka chini ili kuabudu mbele za Bwana. 19Ndipo baadhi ya Walawi kutoka kwa Wakohathi na kwa wana wa Kora wakasimama na kumsifu Bwana, Mungu wa Israeli, kwa sauti kuu sana.

2020:20 Isa 7:9; Mwa 39:3; Mit 16:3; Rum 8:31; Isa 26:3; Yn 11:40; 14:1Asubuhi na mapema wakaondoka kuelekea Jangwa la Tekoa. Walipoanza safari, Yehoshafati akasimama akasema, “Nisikilizeni, enyi Yuda, na watu wa Yerusalemu! Mwaminini Bwana Mungu wenu, hivyo mtathibitika, wasadikini manabii wake nanyi mtafanikiwa. 2120:21 1Nya 16:29; 2Nya 5:13; Za 136:1Alipomaliza kushauriana na watu, Yehoshafati akawaweka watu wa kumwimbia Bwana na kumsifu katika utukufu wa utakatifu wake walipokuwa wametangulia mbele ya jeshi, wakisema:

“Mshukuruni Bwana

kwa kuwa upendo wake wadumu milele.”

2220:22 Amu 7:22; 2Nya 13:13; 1Sam 14:20Walipoanza kuimba na kusifu, Bwana akaweka waviziao dhidi ya watu wa Amoni, Moabu na wale wa Mlima Seiri waliokuwa wamekuja kuishambulia Yuda, nao wakashindwa. 2320:23 Mwa 19:38; 2Nya 21:8; Eze 38:21Watu wa Amoni na Moabu wakawainukia watu wa Mlima Seiri ili kuwaua na kuwaangamiza kabisa. Baada ya kumaliza kuwachinja watu wa Seiri, wakaangamizana wao kwa wao.

2420:24 Isa 37:36; Yer 33:5; Kut 14:13Yuda walipofika katika mnara wa ulinzi wa jangwani, wakaliangalia lile jeshi kubwa, wakaona ni maiti tupu zimetapakaa ardhini, wala hakuna yeyote aliyenusurika. 25Hivyo Yehoshafati na watu wake wakaenda kujitwalia nyara kutoka kwao, nao wakakuta humo wingi wa mifugo, mali, nguo na vitu vya thamani, ambavyo vilikuwa vingi zaidi ya vile walivyoweza kuchukua. Wakakusanya nyara kwa siku tatu kwa sababu zilikuwa nyingi mno. 26Siku ya nne wakakusanyika katika Bonde la Beraka20:26 Bonde la Beraka maana yake Bonde la Kusifu. kwa maana huko ndiko walikomsifu Bwana. Ndiyo sababu linaitwa Bonde la Beraka mpaka leo.

2720:27 Neh 12:43Kisha watu wote wa Yuda na Yerusalemu, wakiongozwa na Yehoshafati, wakarudi Yerusalemu wakiwa na furaha kwa kuwa Bwana alikuwa amewasababisha wafurahi juu ya adui zao. 28Wakaingia Yerusalemu na kwenda hekaluni mwa Bwana wakiwa na vinubi, zeze na tarumbeta.

2920:29 Mwa 35:5; Kum 2:25; 14:14; 2Nya 17:10Hofu ya Mungu ikazipata falme zote za nchi waliposikia jinsi Bwana alivyokuwa amepigana dhidi ya adui za Israeli. 3020:30 2Nya 15:15; 1Nya 22:9; Ay 34:29Ufalme wa Yehoshafati ukawa na amani, kwa kuwa Mungu wake alikuwa amemstarehesha pande zote.

Mwisho Wa Utawala Wa Yehoshafati

(1 Wafalme 22:41-50)

3120:31 1Fal 22:41Hivyo Yehoshafati akatawala Yuda. Alikuwa na umri wa miaka thelathini na mitano alipoanza kutawala, akatawala katika Yerusalemu kwa miaka ishirini na mitano. Mama yake aliitwa Azuba binti Shilhi. 32Alienenda katika njia za Asa baba yake wala hakwenda kinyume chake. Alifanya yaliyo mema machoni pa Bwana. 3320:33 2Nya 12:14; 17:6Hata hivyo mahali pa juu pa kuabudia hapakuondolewa, na watu wakawa bado hawajaelekeza mioyo yao kwa Mungu wa baba zao.

3420:34 1Fal 16:1-3Matukio mengine ya utawala wa Yehoshafati, kuanzia mwanzo hadi mwisho, yameandikwa katika kitabu cha kumbukumbu cha Yehu mwana wa Hanani, ambazo zimeandikwa katika kitabu cha wafalme wa Israeli.

3520:35 2Nya 16:3; 19:1-3Hatimaye Yehoshafati mfalme wa Yuda akafanya urafiki na Ahazia mfalme wa Israeli ambaye alifanya maovu sana. 3620:36 1Fal 22:49Akaungana naye kutengeneza meli nyingi za kwenda Tarshishi,20:36 Au: za biashara (ona pia 1Fal 10:22; 22:48; 2Nya 9:21; Isa 2:16; 60:9). nazo zilitengenezwa huko Esion-Geberi. 3720:37 1Fal 9:26; 2Nya 9:21; Mwa 10:4; 1Fal 10:22Ndipo Eliezeri mwana wa Dodavahu wa Maresha akatoa unabii dhidi ya Yehoshafati, akasema, “Kwa kuwa umeungana na Ahazia, Bwana ataangamiza vile mlivyotengeneza.” Zile meli zikavunjika na hazikuweza kungʼoa nanga ili kwenda Tarshishi.