Parallel Bible results for "2 chronicles 14"

2 Chronicles 14

New Revised Standard NRS

1 So Abijah slept with his ancestors, and they buried him in the city of David. His son Asa succeeded him. In his days the land had rest for ten years.

2 Asa did what was good and right in the sight of the Lord his God.

3 He took away the foreign altars and the high places, broke down the pillars, hewed down the sacred poles,

4 and commanded Judah to seek the Lord, the God of their ancestors, and to keep the law and the commandment.

5 He also removed from all the cities of Judah the high places and the incense altars. And the kingdom had rest under him.

6 He built fortified cities in Judah while the land had rest. He had no war in those years, for the Lord gave him peace.

7 He said to Judah, "Let us build these cities, and surround them with walls and towers, gates and bars; the land is still ours because we have sought the Lord our God; we have sought him, and he has given us peace on every side." So they built and prospered.

8 Asa had an army of three hundred thousand from Judah, armed with large shields and spears, and two hundred eighty thousand troops from Benjamin who carried shields and drew bows; all these were mighty warriors.

9 Zerah the Ethiopian came out against them with an army of a million men and three hundred chariots, and came as far as Mareshah.

10 Asa went out to meet him, and they drew up their lines of battle in the valley of Zephathah at Mareshah.

11 Asa cried to the Lord his God, "O Lord, there is no difference for you between helping the mighty and the weak. Help us, O Lord our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this multitude. O Lord, you are our God; let no mortal prevail against you."

12 So the Lord defeated the Ethiopians before Asa and before Judah, and the Ethiopians fled.

13 Asa and the army with him pursued them as far as Gerar, and the Ethiopians fell until no one remained alive; for they were broken before the Lord and his army. The people of Judah carried away a great quantity of booty.

14 They defeated all the cities around Gerar, for the fear of the Lord was on them. They plundered all the cities; for there was much plunder in them.

15 They also attacked the tents of those who had livestock, and carried away sheep and goats in abundance, and camels. Then they returned to Jerusalem.

The Message Bible MSG

1 Abijah died and was buried with his ancestors in the City of David. His son Asa became the next king. For ten years into Asa's reign the country was at peace.

2 Asa was a good king. He did things right in God's eyes.

3 He cleaned house: got rid of the pagan altars and shrines, smashed the sacred stone pillars, and chopped down the sex-and-religion groves (Asherim).

4 He told Judah to center their lives in God, the God of their fathers, to do what the law said, and to follow the commandments.

5 Because he got rid of all the pagan shrines and altars in the cities of Judah, his kingdom was at peace.

6 Because the land was quiet and there was no war, he was able to build up a good defense system in Judah. God kept the peace.

7 Asa said to his people, "While we have the chance and the land is quiet, let's build a solid defense system, fortifying our cities with walls, towers, gates, and bars. We have this peaceful land because we sought God; he has given us rest from all troubles." So they built and enjoyed prosperity.

8 Asa had an army of 300,000 Judeans, equipped with shields and spears, and another 280,000 Benjaminites who were shield bearers and archers. They were all courageous warriors.

9 Zerah the Ethiopian went to war against Asa with an army of a million plus 300 chariots and got as far as Mareshah.

10 Asa met him there and prepared to fight from the Valley of Zephathah near Mareshah.

11 Then Asa prayed to God, "O God, you aren't impressed by numbers or intimidated by a show of force once you decide to help: Help us, O God; we have come out to meet this huge army because we trust in you and who you are. Don't let mere mortals stand against you!"

12 God defeated the Ethiopians before Asa and Judah; the Ethiopians ran for their lives.

13 Asa and his men chased them as far as Gerar; so many of the Ethiopians were killed that there was no fight left in them - a massacre before God and his troops; Judah carted off loads of plunder.

14 They devastated all the towns around Gerar whose people were helpless, paralyzed by the fear of God, and looted the country.

15 They also attacked herdsmen and brought back a lot of sheep and camels to Jerusalem.