Deuteronomy 1:9-18

New International Reader's Version

Some Officials Are Chosen to Help Moses

⁹ At that time I spoke to you. I said, “You are too heavy a load for me to carry alone. ¹⁰ The Lord your God has caused there to be many of you. Today you are as many as the stars in the sky. ¹¹ The Lord is the God of your people. May he cause there to be a thousand times more of you. May he bless you, just as he promised he would. ¹² But I can’t handle your problems and troubles all by myself. I can’t settle your arguments. ¹³ So choose some wise men from each of your tribes. They must understand how to give good advice. The people must have respect for them. I will appoint those men to have authority over you.”

¹⁴ You answered me, “Your suggestion is good.”

¹⁵ So I chose the leading men of your tribes who were wise and respected. I appointed them to have authority over you. I made them commanders of thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. I appointed them to be officials over the tribes. ¹⁶ Here is what I commanded your judges at that time. I said, “Listen to your people’s cases when they argue with one another. Judge them fairly. It doesn’t matter whether the case is between two Israelites or between an Israelite and an outsider living among you. ¹⁷ When you judge them, treat everyone the same. Listen to those who are important and those who are not. Don’t be afraid of anyone. God is the highest judge. Bring me any case that is too hard for you. I’ll listen to it.” ¹⁸ At that time I told you everything you should do.