Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

¹³ The next day Moses sat as a judge for the people, while the people stood around Moses from morning until evening. ¹⁴ When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he was doing for the people, he said, “What’s this that you are doing for the people? Why do you sit alone, while all the people are standing around you from morning until evening?”

¹⁵ Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God. ¹⁶ When a conflict arises between them, they come to me and I judge between the two of them. I also teach them God’s regulations and instructions.”

¹⁷ Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing isn’t good. ¹⁸ You will end up totally wearing yourself out, both you and these people who are with you. The work is too difficult for you. You can’t do it alone. ¹⁹ Now listen to me and let me give you some advice. And may God be with you! Your role should be to represent the people before God. You should bring their disputes before God yourself. ²⁰ Explain the regulations and instructions to them. Let them know the way they are supposed to go and the things they are supposed to do. ²¹ But you should also look among all the people for capable persons who respect God. They should be trustworthy and not corrupt. Set these persons over the people as officers of groups of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. ²² Let them sit as judges for the people at all times. They should bring every major dispute to you, but they should decide all of the minor cases themselves. This will be much easier for you, and they will share your load. ²³ If you do this and God directs you, then you will be able to endure. And all these people will be able to go back to their homes much happier.”

²⁴ Moses listened to his father-in-law’s suggestions and did everything that he had said. ²⁵ Moses chose capable persons from all Israel and set them as leaders over the people, as officers over groups of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. ²⁶ They acted as judges for the people at all times. They would refer the hard cases to Moses, but all of the minor cases they decided themselves. ²⁷ Then Moses said good-bye to his father-in-law, and Jethro went back to his own country.

¹³ The council was caught by surprise by the confidence with which Peter and John spoke. After all, they understood that these apostles were uneducated and inexperienced. They also recognized that they had been followers of Jesus. ¹⁴ However, since the healed man was standing with Peter and John before their own eyes, they had no rebuttal. ¹⁵ After ordering them to wait outside, the council members began to confer with each other. ¹⁶ “What should we do with these men? Everyone living in Jerusalem is aware of the sign performed through them. It’s obvious to everyone and we can’t deny it. ¹⁷ To keep it from spreading further among the people, we need to warn them not to speak to anyone in this name.” ¹⁸ When they called Peter and John back, they demanded that they stop all speaking and teaching in the name of Jesus.

¹⁹ Peter and John responded, “It’s up to you to determine whether it’s right before God to obey you rather than God. ²⁰ As for us, we can’t stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” ²¹ They threatened them further, then released them. Because of public support for Peter and John, they couldn’t find a way to punish them. Everyone was praising God for what had happened, ²² because the man who had experienced this sign of healing was over 40 years old.

The believers pray

²³ After their release, Peter and John returned to the brothers and sisters and reported everything the chief priests and elders had said. ²⁴ They listened, then lifted their voices in unison to God, “Master, you are the one who created the heaven, the earth, the sea, and everything in them. ²⁵ You are the one who spoke by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor David, your servant:

²⁷ Indeed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with Gentiles and Israelites, did gather in this city against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. ²⁸ They did what your power and plan had already determined would happen. ²⁹ Now, Lord, take note of their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with complete confidence. ³⁰ Stretch out your hand to bring healing and enable signs and wonders to be performed through the name of Jesus, your holy servant.” ³¹ After they prayed, the place where they were gathered was shaken. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking God’s word with confidence.