4. They had already won the battle over Sihon. Sihon was the king of the Amorites. He had ruled in Heshbon. Israel had also won the battle over Og at Edrei. Og was the king of Bashan. He had ruled in Ashtaroth.
5. The people were east of the Jordan River in the territory of Moab. There Moses began to explain the law. Here is what he said.
6. The Lord our God spoke to us at Mount Horeb. He said, "You have stayed long enough at this mountain.
7. Take your tents down. Go into the hill country of the Amorites. Go to all of the people who are their neighbors. Go to the people who live in the Arabah Valley. Travel to the mountains and the western hills. Go to the people in the Negev Desert and along the coast. Travel to the land of Canaan and to Lebanon. Go as far as the great Euphrates River.
8. "I have given you all of that land. Go in and take it as your own. I took an oath. I promised I would give the land to your fathers. I promised it to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. I also said I would give it to their children after them."
9. At that time I spoke to you. I said, "You are too heavy a load for me to carry alone.
10. The Lord your God has increased your numbers. Today you are as many as the stars in the sky.
11. The Lord is the God of your people. May he increase your numbers a thousand times. May he bless you, just as he promised he would.
12. But I can't handle your problems and troubles all by myself. I can't settle your arguments.
13. "So choose some wise men from each of your tribes. They must understand how to give good advice. The people must have respect for them. I will appoint those men to have authority over you."
14. You answered me, "Your suggestion is good."
15. So I took the leading men of your tribes who were wise and respected. I appointed them to have authority over you. I made them commanders of thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. I appointed them to be officials over the tribes.
16. Here is what I commanded your judges at that time. I said, "Listen to your people's cases when they argue with one another. Judge them fairly. It doesn't matter whether the case is between fellow Israelites or between an Israelite and an outsider.
17. When you judge them, treat everyone the same. Listen to those who are important and those who are not. Don't be afraid of any man. God is the highest judge. Bring me any case that is too hard for you. I'll listen to it."
18. At that time I told you everything you should do.
19. The Lord our God commanded us to start out from Mount Horeb. So we did. We went toward the hill country of the Amorites. We traveled all through the huge and terrible desert you saw. Finally, we reached Kadesh Barnea.