Exodus 18
New Catholic Bible
Chapter 18
Moses Visited by His Father-in-Law.[a] 1 Jethro, the priest of Midian and the father-in-law of Moses, came to know what God had done for Moses and for Israel, his people, and how the Lord had brought Israel out of Egypt.
2 Jethro brought Zipporah, the wife of Moses, with him, for he had sent her back to him, 3 and also her two sons. One son was named Gershom, for he had said, “I am a stranger in a strange land,” 4 and the other named Eliezer, for he had said, “The God of my father has come to my assistance and has freed me from the sword of Pharaoh.”
5 Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, and the sons and wife of Moses came to him in the desert where he was camped, near the mountain of God. 6 He had it announced to Moses, “It is I, Jethro, your father-in-law. I have come with your wife and your two sons.”
7 Moses went out to meet his father-in-law. He bowed before him and kissed him. They inquired about each other’s health, and then went into their tent. 8 Moses told his father-in-law what the Lord had done to Pharaoh and the Egyptians for the children of Israel, and also about all the difficulties that they had encountered during their journey, and from which the Lord had delivered them.
9 Jethro rejoiced over all the blessings that the Lord had shown to Israel when he liberated it from the hands of the Egyptians. 10 Jethro said, “Blessed be the Lord, who freed you from the hands of the Egyptians and from the hands of Pharaoh. He delivered this people from the hands of the Egyptians. 11 Now I know that the Lord is the greatest of all gods because of what he has done to the Egyptians. He delivered them from their hands when they acted arrogantly.”
12 Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses, offered a burnt offering and sacrificed to God. Aaron and all the elders of Israel came and ate a banquet with the father-in-law of Moses before God.
13 Moses Institutes the Judges.[b] The next day Moses sat in judgment over the people of Israel. All the people stood before Moses from morning until the evening. 14 Jethro, seeing what he was doing for the people, said to him, “What is this that you do for the people? Why do you sit in judgment alone, while the people stand before you from morning until evening?”
15 Moses answered his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire the will of God. 16 When they have some question, they come to me and I judge the matter between them and let them know the statutes of God and his laws.”
17 The father-in-law of Moses told him, “What you are doing is no good. 18 You will surely wear yourself out, you and the people with you, because this job is too difficult for you. You cannot do it alone. 19 Now, listen to me. I wish to give you some advice, and God be with you. You must act as the people’s representative before God and bring their cases before him. 20 You will explain the decrees and the laws to them. You will direct them along the way that they should go and teach the things that they must do. 21 You will also choose virtuous men who fear God from among the people, honest men who are not filled with greed, and you will make them leaders of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. 22 They must judge the people at all times. When there is an important matter, they will refer it to you, but they will judge all the minor issues. Thus, they will lighten the burden upon you, for they will carry it with you. 23 If you do this thing and if God commands this of you, then you will be able to continue and this people will arrive in peace at its destination.”
24 Moses listened to his father-in-law’s suggestion, and he did what he had suggested that he do. 25 Moses chose capable men from among all the men of Israel, and he appointed them as leaders of the people, as leaders of groups of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. 26 They judged the people at all times. When there was a difficult matter, they referred it to Moses, but they themselves judged all the minor issues. 27 Then Moses let his father-in-law depart, and Jethro returned to his own country.
Footnotes
- Exodus 18:1 This passage is probably not in its correct place, since it says that the meeting took place near Mount Sinai. It is part of traditions according to which all links were not broken between the pagan peoples and the God of Israel.
- Exodus 18:13 Set free, Israel becomes an autonomous people that requires them to be organized. Through the counsel of Jethro and his wise advice to Moses, the Midianite people serve as a model for them.
Exodus 18
King James Version
18 When Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses' father in law, heard of all that God had done for Moses, and for Israel his people, and that the Lord had brought Israel out of Egypt;
2 Then Jethro, Moses' father in law, took Zipporah, Moses' wife, after he had sent her back,
3 And her two sons; of which the name of the one was Gershom; for he said, I have been an alien in a strange land:
4 And the name of the other was Eliezer; for the God of my father, said he, was mine help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh:
5 And Jethro, Moses' father in law, came with his sons and his wife unto Moses into the wilderness, where he encamped at the mount of God:
6 And he said unto Moses, I thy father in law Jethro am come unto thee, and thy wife, and her two sons with her.
7 And Moses went out to meet his father in law, and did obeisance, and kissed him; and they asked each other of their welfare; and they came into the tent.
8 And Moses told his father in law all that the Lord had done unto Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel's sake, and all the travail that had come upon them by the way, and how the Lord delivered them.
9 And Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness which the Lord had done to Israel, whom he had delivered out of the hand of the Egyptians.
10 And Jethro said, Blessed be the Lord, who hath delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of Pharaoh, who hath delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians.
11 Now I know that the Lord is greater than all gods: for in the thing wherein they dealt proudly he was above them.
12 And Jethro, Moses' father in law, took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God: and Aaron came, and all the elders of Israel, to eat bread with Moses' father in law before God.
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.
24 So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father in law, and did all that he had said.
25 And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.
26 And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they brought unto Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves.
27 And Moses let his father in law depart; and he went his way into his own land.
Éxodo 18
La Biblia de las Américas
Visita de Jetro a Moisés
18 Y Jetro (A), sacerdote de Madián, suegro de Moisés, oyó de todo lo que Dios había hecho por Moisés y por su pueblo Israel, cómo el Señor había sacado a Israel de Egipto. 2 Entonces Jetro, suegro de Moisés, tomó a Séfora(B), mujer de Moisés, después que este la había enviado a su casa, 3 y a sus dos hijos, uno de los cuales se llamaba Gersón[a], pues Moisés había dicho: He sido peregrino en tierra extranjera(C), 4 y el nombre del otro era Eliezer[b](D), pues había dicho: El Dios de mi padre fue mi ayuda(E) y me libró de la espada de Faraón. 5 Y vino Jetro, suegro de Moisés, con los hijos y la mujer de Moisés al desierto, donde este estaba acampado junto al monte de Dios(F). 6 Y mandó decir[c] a Moisés: Yo, tu suegro Jetro, vengo a ti con tu mujer y sus dos hijos con ella. 7 Salió Moisés a recibir a su suegro, se inclinó(G) y lo besó(H); y se preguntaron uno a otro cómo estaban[d](I), y entraron en la tienda. 8 Y Moisés contó a su suegro todo lo que el Señor había hecho a Faraón y a los egipcios por amor a Israel(J), todas las dificultades que les habían sobrevenido en el camino(K) y cómo los había librado el Señor(L). 9 Y se alegró Jetro de todo el bien que el Señor había hecho a Israel(M), al librarlo de la mano de los egipcios. 10 Entonces Jetro dijo: Bendito sea el Señor que os libró de la mano de los egipcios y de la mano de Faraón, y que libró al pueblo del poder[e] de los egipcios(N). 11 Ahora sé que el Señor es más grande que todos los dioses(O); ciertamente, esto se probó cuando trataron al pueblo[f] con arrogancia(P). 12 Y Jetro, suegro de Moisés, tomó un holocausto y sacrificios para Dios, y Aarón vino con todos los ancianos de Israel a comer[g](Q) con el suegro de Moisés delante de Dios.
Nombramiento de jueces
13 Y aconteció que al día siguiente Moisés se sentó a juzgar al pueblo(R); y el pueblo estuvo delante de Moisés desde la mañana hasta el atardecer. 14 Cuando el suegro de Moisés vio todo lo que él hacía por el pueblo, dijo: ¿Qué es esto que haces por el pueblo? ¿Por qué juzgas[h] tú solo, y todo el pueblo está delante de ti desde la mañana hasta el atardecer? 15 Y respondió Moisés a su suegro: Porque el pueblo viene a mí para consultar a Dios(S). 16 Cuando tienen un pleito[i](T), vienen a mí, y yo juzgo entre uno y otro[j], dándoles a conocer los estatutos de Dios y sus leyes. 17 Y el suegro de Moisés le dijo: No está bien lo que haces. 18 Con seguridad desfallecerás tú, y también este pueblo que está contigo, porque el trabajo[k] es demasiado pesado para ti; no puedes hacerlo tú solo(U). 19 Ahora, escúchame[l]; yo te aconsejaré, y Dios estará contigo. Sé tú el representante del[m] pueblo delante de Dios, y somete los asuntos a Dios(V). 20 Y enséñales los estatutos y las leyes, y hazles saber el camino en que deben andar(W) y la obra que han de realizar(X). 21 Además, escogerás[n] de entre todo el pueblo hombres capaces, temerosos de Dios(Y), hombres veraces que aborrezcan las ganancias deshonestas(Z), y los pondrás sobre el pueblo[o] como jefes de mil, de[p] cien, de[q] cincuenta y de[r] diez(AA). 22 Y que juzguen ellos al pueblo en todo tiempo; y que traigan a ti todo pleito grave[s], pero que ellos juzguen todo pleito sencillo[t](AB). Así será más fácil para ti, y ellos llevarán la carga contigo(AC). 23 Si haces esto, y Dios te lo manda, tú podrás resistir[u] y todo este pueblo por su parte irá en paz a su lugar.
24 Moisés escuchó a[v] su suegro, e hizo todo lo que él había dicho. 25 Y escogió Moisés hombres capaces de entre todo Israel, y los puso por cabezas del pueblo, como jefes de mil, de[w] cien, de[x] cincuenta y de[y] diez(AD). 26 Ellos juzgaban al pueblo en todo tiempo; el pleito[z] difícil lo traían a Moisés, mas todo pleito[aa] sencillo[ab] lo juzgaban ellos(AE). 27 Y Moisés despidió a su suegro, y este se fue a su tierra(AF).
Footnotes
- Éxodo 18:3 I.e., soy peregrino allí
- Éxodo 18:4 I.e., mi Dios es ayuda
- Éxodo 18:6 Lit., Y dijo
- Éxodo 18:7 O, por su bienestar
- Éxodo 18:10 Lit., de bajo la mano
- Éxodo 18:11 Lit., ciertamente en lo que trataron contra ellos
- Éxodo 18:12 Lit., comer pan
- Éxodo 18:14 Lit., te sientas
- Éxodo 18:16 Lit., un asunto
- Éxodo 18:16 Lit., entre un hombre y su prójimo
- Éxodo 18:18 Lit., asunto
- Éxodo 18:19 Lit., escucha mi voz
- Éxodo 18:19 Lit., Sé tú por el
- Éxodo 18:21 Lit., verás
- Éxodo 18:21 Lit., ellos
- Éxodo 18:21 Lit., jefes de
- Éxodo 18:21 Lit., jefes de
- Éxodo 18:21 Lit., jefes de
- Éxodo 18:22 Lit., asunto grande
- Éxodo 18:22 Lit., asunto pequeño
- Éxodo 18:23 Lit., permanecer
- Éxodo 18:24 Lit., la voz de
- Éxodo 18:25 Lit., jefes de
- Éxodo 18:25 Lit., jefes de
- Éxodo 18:25 Lit., jefes de
- Éxodo 18:26 Lit., asunto
- Éxodo 18:26 Lit., asunto
- Éxodo 18:26 Lit., asunto pequeño
Exodus 18
New King James Version
Jethro’s Advice(A)
18 And (B)Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses’ father-in-law, heard of all that (C)God had done for Moses and for Israel His people—that the Lord had brought Israel out of Egypt. 2 Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, took (D)Zipporah, Moses’ wife, after he had sent her back, 3 with her (E)two sons, of whom the name of one was [a]Gershom (for he said, (F)“I have been a [b]stranger in a foreign land”) 4 and the name of the other was [c]Eliezer (for he said, “The God of my father was my (G)help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh”); 5 and Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, came with his sons and his wife to Moses in the wilderness, where he was encamped at (H)the mountain of God. 6 Now he had said to Moses, “I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you with your wife and her two sons with her.”
7 So Moses (I)went out to meet his father-in-law, bowed down, and (J)kissed him. And they asked each other about their well-being, and they went into the tent. 8 And Moses told his father-in-law all that the Lord had done to Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel’s sake, all the hardship that had come upon them on the way, and how the Lord had (K)delivered them. 9 Then Jethro rejoiced for all the (L)good which the Lord had done for Israel, whom He had delivered out of the hand of the Egyptians. 10 And Jethro said, (M)“Blessed be the Lord, who has delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians and out of the hand of Pharaoh, and who has delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians. 11 Now I know that the Lord is (N)greater than all the gods; (O)for in the very thing in which they [d]behaved (P)proudly, He was above them.” 12 Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, [e]took a burnt (Q)offering and other sacrifices to offer to God. And Aaron came with all the elders of Israel (R)to eat bread with Moses’ father-in-law before God.
13 And so it was, on the next day, that Moses (S)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 [f]sit, and all the people stand before you from morning until evening?”
15 And Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because (T)the people come to me to inquire of God. 16 When they have (U)a [g]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; (V)you are not able to perform it by yourself. 19 Listen now to my voice; I will give you [h]counsel, and God will be with you: Stand (W)before God for the people, so that you may (X)bring the difficulties to God. 20 And you shall (Y)teach them the statutes and the laws, and show them the way in which they must walk and (Z)the work they must do. 21 Moreover you shall select from all the people (AA)able men, such as (AB)fear God, (AC)men of truth, (AD)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. (AE)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 (AF)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 (AG)place in peace.”
24 So Moses heeded the voice of his father-in-law and did all that he had said. 25 And (AH)Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people: rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. 26 So they judged the people at all times; the (AI)hard[i] cases they brought to Moses, but they judged every small case themselves.
27 Then Moses let his father-in-law depart, and (AJ)he went his way to his own land.
Footnotes
- Exodus 18:3 Lit. Stranger There
- Exodus 18:3 sojourner, temporary resident
- Exodus 18:4 Lit. My God Is Help
- Exodus 18:11 acted presumptuously
- Exodus 18:12 So with MT, LXX; Syr., Tg., Vg. offered
- Exodus 18:14 Sit as judge
- Exodus 18:16 dispute
- Exodus 18:19 advice
- Exodus 18:26 difficult matters
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
