7. So Moses went out to meet his father-in-law. Moses bowed down before him and kissed him. The two men asked about each other’s health. Then they went into Moses’ tent to talk more.
8. Moses told Jethro everything the Lord had done for the Israelites. He told what the Lord did to Pharaoh and the people of Egypt. He told about all the problems they had along the way. And he told his father-in-law how the Lord saved the Israelites every time there was trouble.
9. Jethro was happy when he heard all the good things the Lord had done for Israel. He was glad that the Lord had freed the Israelites from the Egyptians.
10. He said, “Praise the Lord! He freed you from the power of Egypt. He saved you from Pharaoh.
11. Now I know the Lord is greater than all the gods. They thought they were in control, but look what God did!”
12. Jethro got some sacrifices and offerings to honor God. Then Aaron and all the elders of Israel came to eat with Moses’ father-in-law Jethro. They all ate together there with God.
13. The next day, Moses had the special job of judging the people. There were so many people that they had to stand before him all day.
14. Jethro saw Moses judging the people. He asked, “Why are you doing this? Why are you the only judge? And why do people come to you all day?”
15. Then Moses said to his father-in-law, “The people come to me and ask me to ask for God’s decision for their problem.
16. If people have an argument, they come to me, and I decide which person is right. In this way I teach the people God’s laws and teachings.”
17. But Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “This isn’t the right way to do this.
18. It is too much work for you to do alone. You cannot do this job by yourself. It wears you out. And it makes the people tired too.