Leaders for the Tribes

“I said to you at that time: I can’t bear the responsibility for you on my own. 10 The Lord your God has so multiplied you that today you are as numerous as the stars of the sky.(A) 11 May the Lord, the God of your ancestors, increase you a thousand times more, and bless you as he promised you. 12 But how can I bear your troubles, burdens, and disputes by myself? 13 Appoint for yourselves wise, understanding, and respected men from each of your tribes, and I will make them your leaders.

14 “You replied to me, ‘What you propose to do is good.’

15 “So I took the leaders of your tribes, wise and respected men, and set them over you as leaders: commanders for thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens, and officers for your tribes. 16 I commanded your judges at that time: Hear the cases between your brothers, and judge rightly between a man and his brother or his resident alien. 17 Do not show partiality when deciding a case;(B) listen to small and great alike. Do not be intimidated by anyone, for judgment belongs to God.(C) Bring me any case too difficult for you, and I will hear it. 18 At that time I commanded you about all the things you were to do.(D)

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Leaders Appointed

“At that time (A)I said to you, ‘I am not able to bear you by myself. 10 The Lord your God has multiplied you, and behold, (B)you are today as numerous as the stars of heaven. 11 (C)May the Lord, the God of your fathers, make you a thousand times as many as you are and bless you, (D)as he has promised you! 12 (E)How can I bear by myself the weight and burden of you and your strife? 13 (F)Choose for your tribes wise, understanding, and experienced men, and I will appoint them as your heads.’ 14 And you answered me, ‘The thing that you have spoken is good for us to do.’ 15 So I took the heads of your tribes, wise and experienced men, (G)and set them as heads over you, commanders of thousands, commanders of hundreds, commanders of fifties, commanders of tens, and officers, throughout your tribes. 16 And I charged your judges at that time, ‘Hear the cases between your brothers, and (H)judge righteously between a man and his brother or the alien who is with him. 17 (I)You shall not be partial in judgment. You shall hear the small and the great alike. You shall not be intimidated by anyone, for (J)the judgment is God's. And the case that is too hard for you, you shall (K)bring to me, and I will hear it.’ 18 And I commanded you at that time all the things that you should do.

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