18 “aYou will surely wear out, both yourself and 1these people who are with you, for the 2task is too heavy for you; byou cannot do it alone.

19 “Now listen to 1me: I will give you counsel, and God be with you. 2You be the people’s representative before God, and you abring the 3disputes to God,

20 athen teach them the statutes and the laws, and make known to them bthe way in which they are to walk and the work they are to do.

21 “Furthermore, you shall 1select out of all the people aable men bwho fear God, men of truth, those who chate dishonest gain; and you shall place these over them as leaders of thousands, 2of hundreds, 2of fifties and 2of tens.

22 “Let them judge the people at all times; and let it be athat every major 1dispute they will bring to you, but every minor 1dispute they themselves will judge. So it will be easier for you, and bthey will bear the burden with you.

23 “If you do this thing and God so commands you, then you will be able to 1endure, and all 2these people also will go to 3their place in peace.”