Whenever your countrymen who live in the cities bring a case before you (whether it involves a violent crime or other matters related to the law, commandments, rules, and regulations), warn them that they must not sin against the Lord. If you fail to do so, God will be angry with you and your colleagues; but if you obey, you will be free of guilt.

The Lord sent prophets among them to lead them back to him. They warned the people, but they would not pay attention.

But Amaziah did not heed the warning, for God wanted to hand them over to Joash because they followed the gods of Edom.

The Lord God of their ancestors continually warned them through his messengers, for he felt compassion for his people and his dwelling place.