3. Now for a long while Israel was without the true God and without a teaching priest, and without law;
4. but in their trouble they turned to Jehovah the God of Israel, and sought him, and he was found of them.
5. And in those times there was no peace to him that went out nor to him that came in, but great disturbances were amongst all the inhabitants of the countries.
6. And nation was broken against nation, and city against city; for God disturbed them with all manner of distress.
7. But as for you, be firm and let not your hands be weak; for there is a reward for your deeds.
8. And when Asa heard these words and the prophecy of Oded the prophet, he took courage, and put away the abominations out of all the land of Judah and Benjamin, and out of the cities that he had taken from mount Ephraim, and renewed the altar of Jehovah, that was before the porch of Jehovah.