Study Desk

"When they have a ^(F1)(C1)dispute, it comes to me, and I judge between someone and his neighbor and make known the statutes of God and His laws."

Moses' father-in-law then said to him, "The thing that you are doing is not good.

"^(C1)You will surely wear out, both yourself and ^(F1)these people who are with you, because the ^(F2)task is too heavy for you; ^(C2)you cannot do it alone.

"Now listen to ^(F1)me: I will give you counsel, and God be with you. ^(F2)You be the people's representative before God, and you ^(C1)bring the ^(F3)disputes to God,

^(C1)then admonish them about the statutes and the laws, and make known to them ^(C2)the way in which they are to walk and the work they are to do.

"Furthermore, you shall ^(F1)select out of all the people ^(C1)able men ^(C2)who fear God, men of truth, those who ^(C3)hate dishonest gain; and you shall place these over them as leaders of thousands, ^(F2)of hundreds, ^(F2)of fifties, and ^(F2)of tens.

"Let them judge the people at all times; and let it be ^(C1)that they will bring to you every major matter, but they will judge every minor matter themselves. So it will be easier for you, and ^(C2)they will carry the burden with you.

"If you do this thing and God so commands you, then you will be able to ^(F1)endure, and all ^(F2)these people also will go to ^(F3)their places in peace."

So Moses listened ^(F1)to his father-in-law and did everything that he had said.

Moses chose ^(C1)able men out of all Israel and made them heads over the people, leaders of thousands, ^(F1)of hundreds, ^(F1)of fifties, and ^(F1)of tens.

Then they judged the people at all times; ^(C1)they would bring the difficult matter to Moses, but they would judge every minor matter themselves.