A reading from the book of Second Chronicles.

In the 36th year of the reign of Asa, Bayesha, King of Israel, went up against Judah and built

Rehma, that he might permit no one to go out or come in to Asa, King of Judah. Then Asa took

silver and gold from the treasures of the house of the Lord and the king's house and sent them to

Benadad, King of Syria, who lived in Damascus saying,

There is a covenant between me and you, as there was between my father and your father.

Behold, I am sending to you silver and gold.

Go, break your covenant with Bayeshah, King of Israel, that he may withdraw from me.

And Benad, listened to King Asa, and sent the commanders of his armies against the King of Israel, that he may withdraw from me. And Benad listened to King Asa and sent the

commanders of his armies against the cities of Israel, and they conquered Aijon, Dan, Abel Mayam,

and all the store cities of Naftali. And when Beyesha heard of it, he stopped building

Rama and let his work cease. Then King Asa took all Judah, and they carried away the stones of

Rama and its timber, with which Beyesha had been Judah, and they carried away the stones of Ramah and its timber,

with which Bayeshah had been building, and with them he built Giba and Misba.

At that time, Hanani the Seer came to Asa, King of Judah and said to him,

Because you relied on the King of Syria, and did not rely on the Lord your God,

the army of the King of Syria has escaped you.

We're not the Ethiopians and the Libyans, a huge army with very many chariots and horsemen.

Yet because you relied on the Lord, he gave them into your hand.

For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth to give strong support

to those whose heart is blameless toward him.

You have done foolishly in this, for from now on you will have wars.

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