4. But in their distress they turned to the Lord, the God of Israel, and sought him, and he was found by them.
5. In those days it was not safe to travel about, for all the inhabitants of the lands were in great turmoil.
6. One nation was being crushed by another and one city by another, because God was troubling them with every kind of distress.
7. But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.”
8. When Asa heard these words and the prophecy of Azariah son of Oded the prophet, he took courage. He removed the detestable idols from the whole land of Judah and Benjamin and from the towns he had captured in the hills of Ephraim. He repaired the altar of the Lord that was in front of the portico of the Lord’s temple.