Exodus 18:9-22

New International Version

⁹ Jethro was delighted to hear about all the good things^(A) the Lord had done for Israel in rescuing them from the hand of the Egyptians. ¹⁰ He said, “Praise be to the Lord,^(B) who rescued you from the hand of the Egyptians and of Pharaoh, and who rescued the people from the hand of the Egyptians. ¹¹ Now I know that the Lord is greater than all other gods,^(C) for he did this to those who had treated Israel arrogantly.”^{(D) 12} Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law,^(E) brought a burnt offering^(F) and other sacrifices^(G) to God, and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat a meal^(H) with Moses’ father-in-law in the presence^(I) of God.

¹³ The next day Moses took his seat to serve as judge for the people, and they stood around him from morning till evening. ¹⁴ When his father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he said, “What is this you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit as judge, while all these people stand around you from morning till evening?”

¹⁵ Moses answered him, “Because the people come to me to seek God’s will.^{(J) 16} Whenever they have a dispute,^(K) it is brought to me, and I decide between the parties and inform them of God’s decrees and instructions.”^(L)

¹⁷ Moses’ father-in-law replied, “What you are doing is not good. ¹⁸ You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone.^{(M) 19} Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you.^(N) You must be the people’s representative before God and bring their disputes^(O) to him. ²⁰ Teach them his decrees and instructions,^(P) and show them the way they are to live^(Q) and how they are to behave.^{(R) 21} But select capable men^(S) from all the people—men who fear^(T) God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain^(U)—and appoint them as officials^(V) over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. ²² Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case^(W) to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share^(X) it with you.