Lectionary Calendar
Friday, August 1st, 2025
the Week of Proper 12 / Ordinary 17
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Read the Bible

Contemporary English Version

2 Chronicles 14:7

He said to the people, "Let's build walls and defense towers for these towns, and put in gates that can be locked with bars. This land still belongs to us, because we have obeyed the Lord our God. He has given us peace from all our enemies." The people did everything Asa had suggested.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Blessing;   Seekers;   Tower;   Thompson Chain Reference - Seekers;   Seeking God;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Kings;   Seeking God;   Towers;  

Dictionaries:

- Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Artaxerxes;   Jerusalem;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Chronicles, Books of;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Chronicles, I;   Ulam;  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - Kingdom of Judah;   International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Bar (2);   Chronicles, Books of;   Fortification;   Gate;   Kitto Biblical Cyclopedia - Asa;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Benjamin;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
So he said to the people of Judah, “Let’s build these cities and surround them with walls and towers, with doors and bars. The land is still ours because we sought the Lord our God. We sought him and he gave us rest on every side.” So they built and succeeded.
Hebrew Names Version
For he said to Yehudah, Let us build these cities, and make about them walls, and towers, gates, and bars; the land is yet before us, because we have sought the LORD our God; we have sought him, and he has given us rest on every side. So they built and prospered.
King James Version
Therefore he said unto Judah, Let us build these cities, and make about them walls, and towers, gates, and bars, while the land is yet before us; because we have sought the Lord our God, we have sought him, and he hath given us rest on every side. So they built and prospered.
English Standard Version
And he said to Judah, "Let us build these cities and surround them with walls and towers, gates and bars. The land is still ours, because we have sought the Lord our God. We have sought him, and he has given us peace on every side." So they built and prospered.
New Century Version
Asa said to the people of Judah, "Let's build up these towns and put walls around them. Let's make towers, gates, and bars in the gates. This country is ours, because we have obeyed the Lord our God. We have followed him, and he has given us peace all around." So they built and had success.
New English Translation
He said to the people of Judah: "Let's build these cities and fortify them with walls, towers, and barred gates. The land remains ours because we have followed the Lord our God and he has made us secure on all sides." So they built the cities and prospered.
Amplified Bible
So he said to Judah, "Let us build these cities and surround them with walls, towers, gates and bars [to secure the doors]. The land is still ours because we have sought the LORD our God; we have sought Him [longing for Him with all our heart] and He has given us peace on every side." So they built and prospered.
New American Standard Bible
For he said to Judah, "Let's build these cities and surround them with walls and towers, gates and bars. The land is still ours because we have sought the LORD our God; we have sought Him, and He has given us rest on every side." So they built and prospered.
World English Bible
For he said to Judah, Let us build these cities, and make about them walls, and towers, gates, and bars; the land is yet before us, because we have sought Yahweh our God; we have sought him, and he has given us rest on every side. So they built and prospered.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Therefore he saide to Iudah, Let vs builde these cities and make walles about, and towers, gates, and barres, whiles the lande is before vs: because we haue sought the Lorde our God, we haue sought him, and he hath giuen vs rest on euery side: so they built and prospered.
Legacy Standard Bible
And he said to Judah, "Let us build these cities and surround them with walls and towers, gates and bars. The land is still ours because we have sought Yahweh our God; we have sought Him, and He has given us rest on every side." So they built and succeeded.
Berean Standard Bible
So he said to the people of Judah, "Let us build these cities and surround them with walls and towers, with doors and bars. The land is still ours because we have sought the LORD our God. We have sought Him and He has given us rest on every side." So they built and prospered.
Complete Jewish Bible
Asa had an army of 300,000 men from Y'hudah, equipped with shields and spears, and another 280,000 from Binyamin, with shields and bows; all were brave, strong men.
Darby Translation
And he said to Judah, Let us build these cities, and surround them with walls and towers, gates and bars, while the land is yet before us; for we have sought Jehovah our God; we have sought him, and he has given us rest on every side. And they built and prospered.
Easy-to-Read Version
Asa said to the people of Judah, "Let's build these towns and make walls around them. Let's make towers, gates, and bars in the gates. Let's do this while we still live in this country. This country is ours because we have followed the Lord our God. He has given us peace all around us." So they built and had success.
George Lamsa Translation
Therefore he said to Judah, Come, let us build these cities, and surround them with walls and towers, gates, and bars, while the land is still quiet of wars; because we have sought the LORD our God, and he also has sought us and he has given us rest from all those who are round about us, and has comforted us and delivered us.
Good News Translation
He told the people of Judah, "Let us fortify the cities by building walls and towers, and gates that can be shut and barred. We have control of the land because we have done the will of the Lord our God. He has protected us and given us security on every side." And so they built and prospered.
Lexham English Bible
And he said to Judah, "Let us build these cities and surround them with walls, towers, gates, and bars while the land is before us, because we have sought Yahweh our God. We have sought and he has given rest to us on every side." So they built and had success.
Literal Translation
And he said to Judah, Let us build these cities, and walls around them , and towers, two leaved gates, and bars, while the land is before us, because we have sought Jehovah our God.We have sought, and He has given rest to usall around. And they built and prospered.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
And he sayde vnto Iuda: Let vs buylde vp these cities, and fense them rounde aboute with walles and towres, with portes and barres, while the londe is yet with vs: for we haue soughte the LORDE oure God, and he hath geuen vs rest on euery syde. So they buylded, and it wente prosperously with the
American Standard Version
For he said unto Judah, Let us build these cities, and make about them walls, and towers, gates, and bars; the land is yet before us, because we have sought Jehovah our God; we have sought him, and he hath given us rest on every side. So they built and prospered.
Bible in Basic English
He said to Judah, Let us make these towns, building walls round them with towers and doors and locks. The land is still ours, because we have been true to the Lord our God; we have been true to him and he has given us rest on every side. So they went on building and all went well for them.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Therefore he saide vnto Iuda: let vs builde these cities, & make about them walles, towres, gates, and barres, for the lande is yet in rest before vs: because we haue sought the Lorde our God, we haue sought him, and he hath geuen vs rest on euery side. And so they built, and it prospered with them.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
And Asa had an army that bore bucklers and spears, out of Judah three hundred thousand; and out of Benjamin, that bore shields and drew bows, two hundred and fourscore thousand; all these were mighty men of valour.
King James Version (1611)
Therefore hee said vnto Iudah, Let vs build these cities, & make about them walles, and towers, gates and barres, while the land is yet before vs: because wee haue sought the Lord our God, wee haue sought him, and hee hath giuen vs rest on euery side: so they built, and prospered.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And he said to Juda, Let us fortify these cities, and make walls, and towers, and gates, and bars: we shall prevail over the land, for as we have sought out the Lord our God, he has sought out us, and has given us rest round about, and prospered us.
English Revised Version
For he said unto Judah, Let us build these cities, and make about them walls, and towers, gates, and bars; the land is yet before us, because we have sought the LORD our God; we have sought him, and he hath given us rest on every side. So they built and prospered.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Forsothe he seide to Juda, Bilde we these cytees, and cumpasse we with wallis, and strengthe we with touris and yatis and lockis, as longe as alle thingis ben restful fro batel; for we han souyte the Lord God of oure fadris, and he hath youe to vs pees bi cumpas. Therfor thei bildiden, and no lettyng was in bildyng.
Update Bible Version
For he said to Judah, Let us build these cities, and make about them walls, and towers, gates, and bars; the land is yet before us, because we have sought Yahweh our God; we have sought him, and he has given us rest on every side. So they built and prospered.
Webster's Bible Translation
Therefore he said to Judah, Let us build these cities, and make about [them] walls, and towers, gates, and bars, [while] the land [is] yet before us; because we have sought the LORD our God, we have sought [him], and he hath given us rest on every side. So they built, and prospered.
New King James Version
Therefore he said to Judah, "Let us build these cities and make walls around them, and towers, gates, and bars, while the land is yet before us, because we have sought the LORD our God; we have sought Him, and He has given us rest on every side." So they built and prospered.
New Living Translation
Asa told the people of Judah, "Let us build towns and fortify them with walls, towers, gates, and bars. The land is still ours because we sought the Lord our God, and he has given us peace on every side." So they went ahead with these projects and brought them to completion.
New Life Bible
So he said to the people of Judah, "Let us build these cities. And let us build walls and towers around them, with iron gates. The land is still ours, because we have followed the Lord our God. We have followed Him, and He has given us rest on every side." So they built and did well.
New Revised Standard
He said to Judah, "Let us build these cities, and surround them with walls and towers, gates and bars; the land is still ours because we have sought the Lord our God; we have sought him, and he has given us peace on every side." So they built and prospered.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Therefore said he to Judah, Let us build these cities, and let us surround them with walls and towers, doors and bars, while the land is yet before us, for we have sought Yahweh our God, we have sought him, and he hath given us rest on every side. So they built, and prospered.
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he said to Juda: Let us build these cities, and compass them with walls, and fortify them with towers, and gates, and bars, while all is quiet from wars, because we have sought the Lord the God of our fathers, and he hath given us peace round about. So they built, and there was no hinderance in building.
Revised Standard Version
And he said to Judah, "Let us build these cities, and surround them with walls and towers, gates and bars; the land is still ours, because we have sought the LORD our God; we have sought him, and he has given us peace on every side." So they built and prospered.
Young's Literal Translation
And he saith to Judah, `Let us build these cities, and compass [them] with wall, and towers, two-leaved doors, and bars, while the land [is] before us, because we have sought Jehovah our God, we have sought, and He giveth rest to us round about;' and they build and prosper.
THE MESSAGE
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.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
For he said to Judah, "Let us build these cities and surround them with walls and towers, gates and bars. The land is still ours because we have sought the LORD our God; we have sought Him, and He has given us rest on every side." So they built and prospered.

Contextual Overview

1 Abijah died and was buried in Jerusalem. Then his son Asa became king, and Judah had ten years of peace. 2 Asa obeyed the Lord his God and did right. 3 He destroyed the local shrines and the altars to foreign gods. He smashed the stone images of gods and cut down the sacred poles used in worshiping the goddess Asherah. 4 Then he told everyone in Judah to worship the Lord God, just as their ancestors had done, and to obey his laws and teachings. 5 He destroyed every local shrine and incense altar in Judah. 6 The Lord blessed Judah with peace while Asa was king, and so during that time, Asa fortified many of the towns. 7 He said to the people, "Let's build walls and defense towers for these towns, and put in gates that can be locked with bars. This land still belongs to us, because we have obeyed the Lord our God. He has given us peace from all our enemies." The people did everything Asa had suggested. 8 Asa had a large army of brave soldiers: Three hundred thousand of them were from the tribe of Judah and were armed with shields and spears; two hundred eighty thousand were from Benjamin and were armed with bows and arrows.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

Therefore: 2 Chronicles 32:5, Acts 9:31

while the land: John 9:4, John 12:35, John 12:36, Hebrews 3:13-15

we have sought: 2 Chronicles 14:4, 1 Chronicles 28:9, Psalms 105:3, Psalms 105:4, Jeremiah 29:12-14, 1 Peter 3:12

and he hath given: 2 Chronicles 14:6, Joshua 23:1, Matthew 11:28, Matthew 11:29

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 25:9 - ceased 2 Chronicles 11:5 - built 2 Chronicles 17:12 - in Judah 2 Chronicles 20:30 - his God 2 Chronicles 27:4 - he built cities 2 Chronicles 31:21 - prospered

Cross-References

Genesis 14:1
About this time, King Amraphel of Babylonia, King Arioch of Ellasar, King Chedorlaomer of Elam, and King Tidal of Goiim
Genesis 14:8
At Siddim Valley, the armies of the kings of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Bela fought the armies of King Chedorlaomer of Elam, King Tidal of Goiim, King Amraphel of Babylonia, and King Arioch of Ellasar. The valley
Genesis 14:12
They also captured Abram's nephew Lot, who lived in Sodom. They took him and his possessions and then left.
Genesis 14:16
and Abram went after them. He brought back his nephew Lot, together with Lot's possessions and the women and everyone else who had been captured.
Genesis 16:14
That's why people call the well between Kadesh and Bered, "The Well of the Living One Who Sees Me."
Genesis 20:1
Abraham moved to the Southern Desert, where he settled between Kadesh and Shur. Later he went to Gerar, and while there
Genesis 36:16
Korah, Gatam, and Amalek. These and Esau's other descendants lived in the land of Edom.
Numbers 13:26
the twelve men returned to Kadesh in the Paran Desert and told Moses, Aaron, and the people what they had seen. They showed them the fruit
Numbers 14:45
The Amalekites and the Canaanites came down from the hill country, defeated the Israelites, and chased them as far as the town of Hormah.
Numbers 20:1
The people of Israel arrived at the Zin Desert during the first month and set up camp near the town of Kadesh. It was there that Miriam died and was buried.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Therefore he said unto Judah,.... To the nobles and principal men of the kingdom:

let us build these cities; which he, no doubt, particularly mentioned by name, and pointed at; that is, repair and fortify them, and put them into a better condition of defence:

and make about them walls and towers, gates and bars; which are always made to fortified places, to protect the inhabitants, and keep out an enemy:

while the land is yet before us; in our power, no enemy in it, nor any to hinder or molest:

because we have sought the Lord our God, we have sought him, and he hath given us rest on every side; had set up his pure worship, reformed abuses in it, and removed idolatry from it, and closely attended to the service of the sanctuary, which was well pleasing to God; the happy effect of which they experienced, rest from all their enemies round about them:

so that they built, and prospered; they began, and went on, and finished, there being nothing to hinder them.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The land is yet before us - i. e., “unoccupied by an enemy” - “the land is open to us to go where we please.” Compare Genesis 13:9. The fortification of the strongholds would be an act of rebellion against Egypt, and it might be expected that the Egyptians would endeavor to put a stop to it.


 
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