מ Mem

Jethro Visits Moses

18 Now Jethro,^(A) the priest of Midian^(B) and father-in-law of Moses, heard of everything God had done for Moses and for his people Israel, and how the Lord had brought Israel out of Egypt.^(C)

² After Moses had sent away his wife Zipporah,^(D) his father-in-law Jethro received her ³ and her two sons.^(E) One son was named Gershom,^[a] for Moses said, “I have become a foreigner in a foreign land”;^{(F) 4} and the other was named Eliezer,^[b](G) for he said, “My father’s God was my helper;^(H) he saved me from the sword of Pharaoh.”

⁵ Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, together with Moses’ sons and wife, came to him in the wilderness, where he was camped near the mountain^(I) of God. ⁶ Jethro had sent word to him, “I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you with your wife and her two sons.”

⁷ So Moses went out to meet his father-in-law and bowed down^(J) and kissed^(K) him. They greeted each other and then went into the tent. ⁸ Moses told his father-in-law about everything the Lord had done to Pharaoh and the Egyptians for Israel’s sake and about all the hardships^(L) they had met along the way and how the Lord had saved^(M) them.

⁹ Jethro was delighted to hear about all the good things^(N) the Lord had done for Israel in rescuing them from the hand of the Egyptians. ¹⁰ He said, “Praise be to the Lord,^(O) who rescued you from the hand of the Egyptians and of Pharaoh, and who rescued the people from the hand of the Egyptians. ¹¹ Now I know that the Lord is greater than all other gods,^(P) for he did this to those who had treated Israel arrogantly.”^{(Q) 12} Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law,^(R) brought a burnt offering^(S) and other sacrifices^(T) to God, and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat a meal^(U) with Moses’ father-in-law in the presence^(V) of God.

²⁷ To them God has chosen to make known^(A) among the Gentiles the glorious riches^(B) of this mystery, which is Christ in you,^(C) the hope of glory.

²⁸ He is the one we proclaim, admonishing^(D) and teaching everyone with all wisdom,^(E) so that we may present everyone fully mature^(F) in Christ. ²⁹ To this end I strenuously^(G) contend^(H) with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.^(I)

2 I want you to know how hard I am contending^(J) for you and for those at Laodicea,^(K) and for all who have not met me personally. ² My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart^(L) and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery^(M) of God, namely, Christ, ³ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.^{(N) 4} I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.^{(O) 5} For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit^(P) and delight to see how disciplined^(Q) you are and how firm^(R) your faith in Christ^(S) is.

Spiritual Fullness in Christ

⁶ So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord,^(T) continue to live your lives in him, ⁷ rooted^(U) and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught,^(V) and overflowing with thankfulness.