⁶ One nation was being crushed by another and one city by another,^(A) because God was troubling them with every kind of distress. ⁷ But as for you, be strong^(B) and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.”^(C)

⁸ When Asa heard these words and the prophecy of Azariah son of^[a] Oded the prophet, he took courage. He removed the detestable idols^(D) from the whole land of Judah and Benjamin and from the towns he had captured^(E) in the hills of Ephraim. He repaired the altar^(F) of the Lord that was in front of the portico of the Lord’s temple.