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2 Chronicles 14 MSG/NIV - Online Parallel Bible

The Message (MSG) New International Version (NIV)
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. 1 And Abijah rested with his fathers and was buried in the City of David. Asa his son succeeded him as king, and in his days the country was at peace for ten years.
2 Asa was a good king. He did things right in God's eyes. 2 Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God.
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). 3 He removed the foreign altars and the high places, smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles.
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. 4 He commanded Judah to seek the LORD, the God of their fathers, and to obey his laws and commands.
5 Because he got rid of all the pagan shrines and altars in the cities of Judah, his kingdom was at peace. 5 He removed the high places and incense altars in every town in Judah, and the kingdom was at peace under him.
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. 6 He built up the fortified cities of Judah, since the land was at peace. No one was at war with him during those years, for the LORD gave him rest.
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. 7 "Let us build up these towns," he said to Judah, "and put walls around them, with towers, gates and bars. The land is still ours, because we have sought the LORD our God; we sought him and he has given us rest on every side." So they built and prospered.
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. 8 Asa had an army of three hundred thousand men from Judah, equipped with large shields and with spears, and two hundred and eighty thousand from Benjamin, armed with small shields and with bows. All these were brave fighting men.
9 Zerah the Ethiopian went to war against Asa with an army of a million plus 300 chariots and got as far as Mareshah. 9 Zerah the Cushite marched out against them with a vast army and three hundred chariots, and came as far as Mareshah.
10 Asa met him there and prepared to fight from the Valley of Zephathah near Mareshah. 10 Asa went out to meet him, and they took up battle positions in 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!" 11 Then Asa called to the LORD his God and said, "LORD, there is no one like you to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this vast army. O LORD, you are our God; do not let man prevail against you."
12 God defeated the Ethiopians before Asa and Judah; the Ethiopians ran for their lives. 12 The LORD struck down the Cushites before Asa and Judah. The Cushites fled,
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. 13 and Asa and his army pursued them as far as Gerar. Such a great number of Cushites fell that they could not recover; they were crushed before the LORD and his forces. The men of Judah carried off a large amount of plunder.
14 They devastated all the towns around Gerar whose people were helpless, paralyzed by the fear of God, and looted the country. 14 They destroyed all the villages around Gerar, for the terror of the LORD had fallen upon them. They plundered all these villages, since there was much booty there.
15 They also attacked herdsmen and brought back a lot of sheep and camels to Jerusalem. 15 They also attacked the camps of the herdsmen and carried off droves of sheep and goats and camels. Then they returned to Jerusalem.