Exodus 18:13-23

Expanded Bible

¹³ The next day Moses ·solved disagreements [decided cases; ^Lsat as judge] among the people, and the people stood around him from morning until night. ¹⁴ When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he asked, “What is all this you are doing for the people? Why are you the only one ·to solve disagreements [^Lsitting]? All the people are standing ·around you [or in line] from morning until night!”

¹⁵ Then Moses said to his father-in-law, “It is because the people come to me ·for God’s help in solving their disagreements [^Lto seek/inquire of God]. ¹⁶ When people have a ·disagreement [^Lmatter; case], they come to me, and I ·decide who is right [judge between a person and his neighbor]. I tell them God’s ·laws [statutes; ordinances; requirements] and ·teachings [instructions; laws].”

¹⁷ Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “·You are not doing this right [^LWhat you are doing is not good]. ¹⁸ You and the people who ·come to you [^Lare with you] will ·get too tired [wear out]. ·This is too much work for you [^LThe matter is too heavy for you]; you can’t do it by yourself. ¹⁹ Now listen to me, and I will give you some advice. I want God to be with you. You must speak to God for the people and tell him about their ·disagreements [cases]. ²⁰ Warn them about the ·laws [statutes; ordinances; requirements] and ·teachings [instructions; laws], and ·teach [make known to] them the ·right way to live [^Lway they should go] and what they should do. ²¹ But choose some ·capable [virtuous; noble] men from among the people—men who ·respect [fear] God [Prov. 1:7], who can be trusted, and who ·will not change their decisions for money [^Lhate dishonest profit]. Make these men officers over the people, to rule over groups of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. ²² Let these officers ·solve the disagreements [consider cases; judge] among the people all the time. They can bring the ·hard [^Lbig] cases to you, but they can ·decide [judge] the ·simple [^Lsmall] cases themselves. That will make it easier for you, because they will share the work with you. ²³ If you do this as God commands you, then you will be able to do your job, and all the people will go ·home [to their place] ·with their disagreements solved [^Lin peace].”