1. And the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded:
2. And he went out to meet Asa, and said to him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The LORD is with you, while ye are with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.
3. Now for a long season Israel hath been without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law.
4. But when they in their trouble returned to the LORD God of Israel, and sought him, he was found by them.
5. And in those times there was no peace to him that went out, nor to him that came in, but great vexations were upon all the inhabitants of the countries.
6. And nation was destroyed by nation, and city by city: for God troubled them with all adversity.
7. Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak; for your work shall be rewarded.