2 Chronicles, 21

1. Now Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David. And Jehoram his son reigned in his stead.

1. Jehoshaphat rested with his ancestors and was buried in the City of David. His son Jehoram succeeded him.

2. And he had brethren the sons of Jehoshaphat, Azariah, and Jehiel, and Zechariah, and Azariah, and Michael, and Shephatiah: all these [were] the sons of Jehoshaphat king of Israel.

2. Jehoram had six brothers, sons of Jehoshaphat: Azariah, Jehiel, Zechariah, Azariahu, Michael and Shepatiah; these were all the sons of Jehoshaphat king of Israel.

3. And their father gave them great gifts of silver, and of gold, and of precious things, with fenced cities in Judah: but the kingdom gave he to Jehoram; because he [was] the firstborn.

3. Their father had made them many gifts of silver, gold and jewels, and of fortified towns in Judah, but he made Jehoram his successor since he was the firstborn.

4. Now when Jehoram was risen up to the kingdom of his father, he strengthened himself, and slew all his brethren with the sword, and [divers] also of the princes of Israel.

4. When Jehoram was in firm control of the kingdom, he had all his brothers killed, as well as some Israelite officials.

5. Jehoram [was] thirty and two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem.

5. Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king and he reigned for eight years in Jerusalem.

6. And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, like as did the house of Ahab: for he had the daughter of Ahab to wife: and he wrought [that which was] evil in the eyes of the LORD.

6. He followed the wicked example of the kings of Israel and did as the family of Ahab had done, for he had married one of Ahab's daughters; and he did what was evil in the eyes of Yahweh.

7. Howbeit the LORD would not destroy the house of David, because of the covenant that he had made with David, and as he promised to give a light to him and to his sons for ever.

7. Yahweh however did not intend to destroy the descendants of David, because of the covenant he had made with David, when he promised to leave a lamp for him and his sons forever.

8. In his days the Edomites revolted from under the dominion of Judah, and made themselves a king.

8. In his time Edom revolted against Judah and set up a king for itself.

9. Then Jehoram went forth with his princes, and all his chariots with him: and he rose up by night, and smote the Edomites which compassed him in, and the captains of the chariots.

9. Jehoram invaded Edom with his commanders and all his chariots. He rose during the night and broke through and escaped from the Edomites encircling him and his chariot commanders.

10. So the Edomites revolted from under the hand of Judah unto this day. The same time [also] did Libnah revolt from under his hand; because he had forsaken the LORD God of his fathers.

10. Thus Edom became independent of Judah, and has remained free to the present day. Libnah also revolted against Jehoram at the same time for he had deserted Yahweh, the God of his ancestors.

11. Moreover he made high places in the mountains of Judah, and caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to commit fornication, and compelled Judah [thereto].

11. He also set up High places in the highlands of Judah and caused the people living in Jerusalem and Judah to sin against Yahweh.

12. And there came a writing to him from Elijah the prophet, saying, Thus saith the LORD God of David thy father, Because thou hast not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat thy father, nor in the ways of Asa king of Judah,

12. Then something written by the prophet Elijah came into his hand. It ran, "This is the word of Yahweh, the God of David your ancestor. You have not followed the example of your father Jehoshaphat or of Asa king of Judah,

13. But hast walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and hast made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to go a whoring, like to the whoredoms of the house of Ahab, and also hast slain thy brethren of thy father's house, [which were] better than thyself:

13. but the wicked example of the kings of Israel, and have caused Judah and the people living in Jerusalem to sin against Yahweh, just as Ahab and his successors did. You have also murdered your brothers, your own family, better men than yourself.

14. Behold, with a great plague will the LORD smite thy people, and thy children, and thy wives, and all thy goods:

14. Because of this Yahweh will strike you with a great calamity, which will come upon your people, your descendants, your wives and all your property.

15. And thou [shalt have] great sickness by disease of thy bowels, until thy bowels fall out by reason of the sickness day by day.

15. You yourself will suffer a painful intestinal disease that will grow worse day by day.

16. Moreover the LORD stirred up against Jehoram the spirit of the Philistines, and of the Arabians, that [were] near the Ethiopians:

16. Yahweh stirred up against Jehoram the Philistines and the Arabs bordering on the Cushites.

17. And they came up into Judah, and brake into it, and carried away all the substance that was found in the king's house, and his sons also, and his wives; so that there was never a son left him, save Jehoahaz, the youngest of his sons.

17. They attacked Judah and invaded it, carrying off all they found in the king's palace, including his sons and his wives; the only son left him was Ahaziah, the youngest of them.

18. And after all this the LORD smote him in his bowels with an incurable disease.

18. And after all this, Yahweh brought on him a painful disease of the intestines.

19. And it came to pass, that in process of time, after the end of two years, his bowels fell out by reason of his sickness: so he died of sore diseases. And his people made no burning for him, like the burning of his fathers.

19. It lasted for more than one year, and when the two years were over and his last hour had come, he died in great pain. The people did not light a bonfire in mourning for him as they had for his father.

20. Thirty and two years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years, and departed without being desired. Howbeit they buried him in the city of David, but not in the sepulchres of the kings.

20. He was thirty-two years old when he became king and he reigned for eight years in Jerusalem. He passed away with no one to regret him, and they buried him in the City of David, though not in the tombs of the kings.