Old Testament

New Testament

Exodus 18:7-19 New King James Version (NKJV)

7. So Moses went out to meet his father-in-law, bowed down, and kissed him. And they asked each other about their well-being, and they went into the tent.

8. And Moses told his father-in-law all that the Lord had done to Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel’s sake, all the hardship that had come upon them on the way, and how the Lord had delivered them.

9. Then Jethro rejoiced for all the good which the Lord had done for Israel, whom He had delivered out of the hand of the Egyptians.

10. And Jethro said, “Blessed be the Lord, who has delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians and out of the hand of Pharaoh, and who has delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians.

11. Now I know that the Lord is greater than all the gods; for in the very thing in which they behaved proudly, He was above them.”

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

13. And so it was, on the next day, that Moses sat to judge the people; and the people stood before Moses from morning until evening.

14. So when Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he did for the people, he said, “What is this thing that you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit, and all the people stand before you from morning until evening?”

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

16. When they have a difficulty, they come to me, and I judge between one and another; and I make known the statutes of God and His laws.”

17. So Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “The thing that you do is not good.

18. Both you and these people who are with you will surely wear yourselves out. For this thing is too much for you; you are not able to perform it by yourself.

19. Listen now to my voice; I will give you counsel, and God will be with you: Stand before God for the people, so that you may bring the difficulties to God.

Read complete chapter Exodus 18