5
In those days there was no safety for travelers, because the residents of the lands had many conflicts.
6
Nation was crushed by nation, and city by city, for God afflicted them with all kinds of adversity.
7
But as for you, be strong; do not be discouraged, for your work will be rewarded.”
8
When Asa heard these words and the prophecy of Azariah son of Oded the prophet, he took courage and removed the detestable idols from the whole land of Judah and Benjamin and from the cities he had captured in the hill country of Ephraim. He then restored the altar of the LORD that was in front of the portico of the LORD’s temple.
9
And he assembled all Judah and Benjamin, along with those from the tribes of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon who had settled among them, for great numbers had come over to him from Israel when they saw that the LORD his God was with him.