¹⁷ Moses’ father-in-law replied, “What you are doing is not good. ¹⁸ You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone.^{(A) 19} Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you.^(B) You must be the people’s representative before God and bring their disputes^(C) to him. ²⁰ Teach them his decrees and instructions,^(D) and show them the way they are to live^(E) and how they are to behave.^{(F) 21} But select capable men^(G) from all the people—men who fear^(H) God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain^(I)—and appoint them as officials^(J) 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^(K) to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share^(L) 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^(M) of the people, officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.^{(N) 26} They served as judges^(O) for the people at all times. The difficult cases^(P) they brought to Moses, but the simple ones they decided themselves.^(Q)

³ In the fortieth year,^(A) on the first day of the eleventh month,^(B) Moses proclaimed^(C) to the Israelites all that the Lord had commanded him concerning them.

The Appointment of Leaders

⁹ At that time I said to you, “You are too heavy a burden^(A) for me to carry alone.^{(B) 10} The Lord your God has increased^(C) your numbers^(D) so that today you are as numerous^(E) as the stars in the sky.^{(F) 11} May the Lord, the God of your ancestors, increase^(G) you a thousand times and bless you as he has promised!^{(H) 12} But how can I bear your problems and your burdens and your disputes all by myself?^{(I) 13} Choose some wise, understanding and respected men^(J) from each of your tribes, and I will set them over you.”

¹⁴ You answered me, “What you propose to do is good.”

¹⁵ So I took^(K) the leading men of your tribes,^(L) wise and respected men,^(M) and appointed them to have authority over you—as commanders^(N) of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens and as tribal officials.^{(O) 16} And I charged your judges at that time, “Hear the disputes between your people and judge^(P) fairly,^(Q) whether the case is between two Israelites or between an Israelite and a foreigner residing among you.^{(R) 17} Do not show partiality^(S) in judging; hear both small and great alike. Do not be afraid of anyone,^(T) for judgment belongs to God. Bring me any case too hard for you, and I will hear it.”^{(U) 18} And at that time I told you everything you were to do.^(V)