2 Chronicles 20:15
13 Meanwhile all the men of Judah, with their wives and children and little ones, were standing before the LORD.
14 Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite from Asaph’s descendants, as he stood in the midst of the assembly.
And he said, “Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the LORD says: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army, for the battle does not belong to you, but to God.
16 Tomorrow you are to march down against them. You will see them coming up the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the valley facing the Wilderness of Jeruel.
17 You need not fight this battle. Take up your positions, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out and face them tomorrow, for the LORD is with you.’”
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- And he said, “Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the LORD says: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army, for the battle does not belong to you, but to God.
- KJV
- And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s.
- WEB
- and he said, “Listen, all Judah, and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat. The LORD says to you, ‘Don’t be afraid, and don’t be dismayed because of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s.
- ASV
- and he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat: Thus saith Jehovah unto you, Fear not ye, neither be dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God`s.
- DARBY
- and he said, Be attentive, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat! Thus saith Jehovah unto you: Fear not, nor be dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's.
- BLB
- and he said, “Listen, all Judah and dwellers of Jerusalem, and King Jehoshaphat! Thus says YHWH to you⁺: ‘You⁺ are not to be afraid and not dismayed before this great multitude, for the battle [is] not unto you⁺, but unto God.
- ÅB
- Og han sa: Hør etter, hele Juda og dere Jerusalems innbyggere og du kong Josjafat! Så sier Herren til dere: Frykt ikke og reddes ikke for denne store hær! For dette er ikke deres krig, men Guds.
- OTB
- og han sa, "Hør, hele Juda og Jerusalems innbyggere, og kong Josjafat: dette er hva Herren sier til dere: 'Frykt ikke eller bli motløse på grunn av denne store mengden, for slaget er ikke deres, men Guds.
- B1930
- Og han sa: Hør efter, hele Juda og I Jerusalems innbyggere og du kong Josafat! Så sier Herren til eder: Frykt ikke og reddes ikke for denne store hær! For dette er ikke eders krig, men Guds.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
2 Chronicles 32:7–8
“Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged before the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater One with us than with him.
Read in contextDeuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or terrified of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Read in contextExodus 14:13–14
But Moses told the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the LORD’s salvation, which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians you see today, you will never see again.
Read in context1 Samuel 17:47
And all those assembled here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give all of you into our hands.”
Read in contextDeuteronomy 31:8
The LORD Himself goes before you; He will be with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid or discouraged.”
Read in contextDeuteronomy 1:29–30
So I said to you: “Do not be terrified or afraid of them!
Read in contextIsaiah 41:10–16
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My right hand of righteousness.
Read in contextDeuteronomy 20:4
For the LORD your God goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.”
Read in context