Therefore translates the common Hebrew conjunction, but it is left untranslated in most modern versions, including New Revised Standard Version. Here it introduces God’s response to Amaziah’s worship of the Edomite gods.

The LORD was angry with Amaziah is literally “the nose/anger of Yahweh burned” (similarly New International Version; see verse 10).

And sent to him a prophet: This prophet was apparently a different prophet from the one mentioned in verse 7 as a “man of God.”

Who said to him: Since the verb said introduces a question, it may be rendered “asked” (God’s Word) or “inquired.”

Why have you resorted to the gods of a people…?: This is a rhetorical question that may be rendered as a strong statement. Resorted to is literally “sought.” The sense of the Hebrew verb here is probably “worshiped” (so Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version), but it may also mean “consulted” (so New International Version). The first half of this question may be rendered “Why have you consulted an oracle from this people’s gods…?”

Which did not deliver their own people from your hand: It is ironic that the king trusted in foreign gods since the name Amaziah means “Yahweh is strong.” From your hand may be rendered “from your power.”

If indirect discourse is preferable in place of the direct quotation of the prophet’s question, the following model may be helpful: “… asked him why he had begun to worship the foreign gods that were not able to save the Edomites from his attack.”

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 .