1 And Asa did that which was good and right in the eyes of HaShem his G-d;

2 for he took away the strange altars, and the high places, and broke down the pillars, and hewed down the Asherim;

3 and commanded Judah to seek HaShem, the G-d of their fathers, and to do the law and the commandment.

4 Also he took away out of all the cities of Judah the high places and the sun-images; and the kingdom was quiet before him.

5 And he built fortified cities in Judah; for the land was quiet, and he had no war in those years; because HaShem had given him rest.

6 For he said unto Judah: 'Let us build these cities, and make about them walls, and towers, gates, and bars; the land is yet before us, because we have sought HaShem our G-d; we have sought Him, and He hath given us rest on every side.' So they built and prospered.

7 And Asa had an army that bore bucklers and spears, out of Judah three hundred thousand; and out of Benjamin, that bore shields and drew bows, two hundred and fourscore thousand; all these were mighty men of valour.

8 And there came out against them Zerah the Ethiopian with an army of a thousand thousand, and three hundred chariots; and he came unto Mareshah.

9 Then Asa went out to meet him, and they set the battle in array in the valley of Zephath at Mareshah.

10 And Asa cried unto HaShem his G-d, and said: 'HaShem, there is none beside Thee to help, between the mighty and him that hath no strength; help us, O HaShem our G-d; for we rely on Thee, and in Thy name are we come against this multitude. Thou art HaShem our G-d; let not man prevail against Thee.'

11 So HaShem smote the Ethiopians before Asa, and before Judah; and the Ethiopians fled.

12 And Asa and the people that were with him pursued them unto Gerar; and there fell of the Ethiopians so that none remained alive; for they were shattered before HaShem, and before His host; and they carried away very much booty.

13 And they smote all the cities round about Gerar; for a terror from HaShem came upon them; and they spoiled all the cities; for there was much spoil in them.

14 They smote also the tents of cattle, and carried away sheep in abundance and camels, and returned to Jerusalem.