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Exodus 18:21-19:8
New International Version
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.
Footnotes
- Exodus 19:6 Or possession, for the whole earth is mine. 6 You
Exodus 18:21-19:8
King James Version
Exodus 18:21-19:8
King James Version
21 Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:
22 And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee.
23 If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to endure, and all this people shall also go to their place in peace.
24 So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father in law, and did all that he had said.
25 And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.
26 And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they brought unto Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves.
27 And Moses let his father in law depart; and he went his way into his own land.
19 In the third month, when the children of Israel were gone forth out of the land of Egypt, the same day came they into the wilderness of Sinai.
2 For they were departed from Rephidim, and were come to the desert of Sinai, and had pitched in the wilderness; and there Israel camped before the mount.
3 And Moses went up unto God, and the Lord called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel;
4 Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself.
5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:
6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.
7 And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the Lord commanded him.
8 And all the people answered together, and said, All that the Lord hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the Lord.
New International Version (NIV) 
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