13 And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses sat to judge the people: and the people stood by Moses from the morning unto the evening.

14 And when Moses' father in law saw all that he did to the people, he said, What is this thing that thou doest to the people? why sittest thou thyself alone, and all the people stand by thee from morning unto even?

15 And Moses said unto his father in law, Because the people come unto me to enquire of God:

16 When they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and another, and I do make them know the statutes of God, and his laws.

17 And Moses' father in law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good.

18 Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone.

19 Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God:

20 And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do.

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.

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13 And so it was, on the next day, that Moses (A)sat to judge the people; and the people stood before Moses from morning until evening. 14 So when Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he did for the people, he said, “What is this thing that you are doing for the people? Why do you alone [a]sit, and all the people stand before you from morning until evening?”

15 And Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because (B)the people come to me to inquire of God. 16 When they have (C)a [b]difficulty, they come to me, and I judge between one and another; and I make known the statutes of God and His laws.”

17 So Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “The thing that you do is not good. 18 Both you and these people who are with you will surely wear yourselves out. For this thing is too much for you; (D)you are not able to perform it by yourself. 19 Listen now to my voice; I will give you [c]counsel, and God will be with you: Stand (E)before God for the people, so that you may (F)bring the difficulties to God. 20 And you shall (G)teach them the statutes and the laws, and show them the way in which they must walk and (H)the work they must do. 21 Moreover you shall select from all the people (I)able men, such as (J)fear God, (K)men of truth, (L)hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. 22 And let them judge the people at all times. (M)Then it will be that every great matter they shall bring to you, but every small matter they themselves shall judge. So it will be easier for you, for (N)they will bear the burden with you. 23 If you do this thing, and God so commands you, then you will be able to endure, and all this people will also go to their (O)place in peace.”

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Footnotes

  1. Exodus 18:14 Sit as judge
  2. Exodus 18:16 dispute
  3. Exodus 18:19 advice

13 The next day Moses sat to judge the people, and the people stood around Moses from morning till evening. 14 When Moses' father-in-law saw all that he was doing for the people, he said, “What is this that you are doing for the people? Why do you sit alone, and all the people stand around you from morning till evening?” 15 And Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because (A)the people come to me to inquire of God; 16 (B)when they have a dispute, they come to me and I decide between one person and another, and I (C)make them know the statutes of God and his laws.” 17 Moses' father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good. 18 You and the people with you will certainly wear yourselves out, for the thing is too heavy for you. (D)You are not able to do it alone. 19 Now obey my voice; I will give you advice, and God be with you! You shall (E)represent the people before God and (F)bring their cases to God, 20 and you shall warn them about the statutes and the laws, and make them know (G)the way in which they must walk and (H)what they must do. 21 Moreover, look for (I)able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. 22 And (J)let them judge the people at all times. (K)Every great matter they shall bring to you, but any small matter they shall decide themselves. So it will be easier for you, and they will (L)bear the burden with you. 23 If you do this, God will direct you, you will be (M)able to endure, and all this people also will go to their place in peace.”

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