And he charged them may be rendered “He gave them these orders” or “Jehoshaphat commanded them” (New Century Version).

Thus you shall do …: The Hebrew adverb rendered Thus refers to the manner in which the duties of the judges were to be performed. In some languages the meaning of this clause may be expressed as “This is how you shall act…” (New Revised Standard Version), but New International Version says simply “You must serve….”

In the fear of the LORD: As in verse 7, this phrase refers to honoring the LORD. Contemporary English Version omits this phrase, but it should be kept. NET Bible renders it “with respect for the LORD.”

In faithfulness, and with your whole heart emphasizes the necessity of complete fidelity to Yahweh in performing the duties of a judge. Some other ways of expressing these two phrases are “faithfully and wholeheartedly” (New International Version), “with faithfulness and an undivided heart” (New Living Translation), and “with loyal heart and single mind” (Moffatt). For with your whole heart, see the comments on 1 Chr 28.9.

If the direct discourse of this verse is a problem, then it may be translated indirectly. But this may prove quite difficult since the quotation continues to the end of the chapter.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .