13 And so it was, on the next day, that Moses rsat 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 6sit, and all the people stand before you from morning until evening?”

15 And Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because sthe people come to me to inquire of God. 16 When they have ta 7difficulty, 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; uyou are not able to perform it by yourself. 19 Listen now to my voice; I will give you 8counsel, and God will be with you: Stand vbefore God for the people, so that you may wbring the difficulties to God. 20 And you shall xteach them the statutes and the laws, and show them the way in which they must walk and ythe work they must do. 21 Moreover you shall select from all the people zable men, such as afear God, bmen of truth, chating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. 22 And let them judge the people at all times. dThen it will be that every great matter they shall bring to you, but every small matter they themselves shall judge. So it will be easier for you, for ethey will bear the burden with you. 23 If you do this thing, and God so commands you, then you will be able to endure, and all this people will also go to their fplace in peace.”

24 So Moses heeded the voice of his father-in-law and did all that he had said. 25 And gMoses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people: rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. 26 So they judged the people at all times; the hhard 9cases they brought to Moses, but they judged every small case themselves.