Leaders for the Tribes

⁹ “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)