Old Testament

New Testament

Exodus 18:11-22 Modern English Version (MEV)

11. Now I know that the Lord is greater than all gods, for in the matter in which they treated the people insolently, He was above them.”

12. Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God, and Aaron and all the elders of Israel came to eat bread with Moses’ father-in-law before God.

13. On the next day, Moses sat to judge the people, and the people stood around ­Moses from the morning until the evening.

14. When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he was doing for the people, he said, “What is this thing that you are doing for the people? Why are you sitting by yourself while all the people stand around you from morning until evening?”

15. Then Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God.

16. When they have a dispute, it comes to me, and I judge between a man and his neighbor, and I make known the statutes of God and His laws.”

17. Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good.

18. You will surely wear yourself out, both you, and these people who are with you, for this thing is too heavy for you. You are not able to do it by yourself.

19. Now listen to me, I will advise you, and may God be with you: You be a representative for the people to God so that you may bring their disputes to God.

20. And you shall teach them the statutes and laws and shall show them the way in which they must walk and the work that they must do.

21. Moreover, you shall choose out of all the people capable men who fear God, men of truth, hating dishonest gain, and place these men over them, to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.

22. Let them judge the people at all times, and let it be that every difficult matter they shall bring to you, but every small matter they shall judge, so that it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you.

Read complete chapter Exodus 18