Douay-Rheims Catholic Bible RHE
The Message Bible MSG
1 And Abia slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David: an Asa his son reigned in his stead: in his days the land was quiet ten years.
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 And Asa did that which was good and pleasing in the sight of his God, and he destroyed the altars of foreign worship, and the high places.
2
Asa was a good king. He did things right in God's eyes.
3 And broke the statues, and cut down the groves.
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 And he commanded Juda to seek the Lord the God of their fathers, and to do the law, and all the commandments.
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 And he took away out of all the cities of Juda the altars, and temples, and reigned in peace.
5
Because he got rid of all the pagan shrines and altars in the cities of Judah, his kingdom was at peace.
6 He built also strong cities in Juda, for he was quiet, and there had no wars risen in his time, the Lord giving 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 And he said to Juda: Let us build these cities, and compass them with walls, and fortify them with towers, and gates, and bars, while all is quiet from wars, because we have sought the Lord the God of our fathers, and he hath given us peace round about. So they built, and there was no hinderance in building.
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 And Asa had in his army of men that bore shields and spears of Juda three hundred thousand, and of Benjamin that bore shields and drew bows, two hundred and eighty thousand, all these were most valiant men.
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 And Zara the Ethiopian came out against them with his army of ten hundred thousand men, and with three hundred chariots: and he came as far as Maresa.
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 And Asa went out to meet him, and set his army in array for battle in the vale of Sephata, which is near Maresa:
10
Asa met him there and prepared to fight from the Valley of Zephathah near Mareshah.
11 And he called upon the Lord God, and said: Lord, there is no difference with thee, whether thou help with few, or with many: help us, O Lord our God: for with confidence in thee, and in thy name we are come against this multitude. O Lord thou art our God, let not man prevail against thee.
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 And the Lord terrified the Ethiopians before Asa and Juda: and the Ethiopians fled.
12
God defeated the Ethiopians before Asa and Judah; the Ethiopians ran for their lives.
13 And Asa and the people that were with him pursued them to Gerara: and the Ethiopians fell even to utter destruction, for the Lord slew them, and his army fought against them, and they were destroyed. And they took abundance of spoils,
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 And they took all the cities round about Gerara: for a great fear was come upon all men: and they pillaged the cities, and carried off much booty.
14
They devastated all the towns around Gerar whose people were helpless, paralyzed by the fear of God, and looted the country.
15 And they destroyed the sheepcotes, and took an infinite number of cattle, and of camels: and returned to Jerusalem.
15
They also attacked herdsmen and brought back a lot of sheep and camels to Jerusalem.
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Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.