Exodus 18:21-19:8

New International Version

²¹ But select capable men^(A) from all the people—men who fear^(B) God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain^(C)—and appoint them as officials^(D) over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. ²² Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case^(E) to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share^(F) it with you. ²³ If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied.”

²⁴ Moses listened to his father-in-law and did everything he said. ²⁵ He chose capable men from all Israel and made them leaders^(G) of the people, officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.^{(H) 26} They served as judges^(I) for the people at all times. The difficult cases^(J) they brought to Moses, but the simple ones they decided themselves.^(K)

²⁷ Then Moses sent his father-in-law on his way, and Jethro returned to his own country.^(L)

At Mount Sinai

19 On the first day of the third month after the Israelites left Egypt^(M)—on that very day—they came to the Desert of Sinai.^{(N) 2} After they set out from Rephidim,^(O) they entered the Desert of Sinai, and Israel camped there in the desert in front of the mountain.^(P)

³ Then Moses went up to God,^(Q) and the Lord called^(R) to him from the mountain and said, “This is what you are to say to the descendants of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: ⁴ ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt,^(S) and how I carried you on eagles’ wings^(T) and brought you to myself.^{(U) 5} Now if you obey me fully^(V) and keep my covenant,^(W) then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession.^(X) Although the whole earth^(Y) is mine, ⁶ you^[a] will be for me a kingdom of priests^(Z) and a holy nation.’^(AA) These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.”

⁷ So Moses went back and summoned the elders^(AB) of the people and set before them all the words the Lord had commanded him to speak.^{(AC) 8} The people all responded together, “We will do everything the Lord has said.”^(AD) So Moses brought their answer back to the Lord.