Deuteronomy 1:9–18

LEADERS FOR THE TRIBES

⁹“I said to you at that time: I can’t bear the responsibility for you on my own. ¹⁰The Lord your God has so multiplied you that today you are as numerous as the stars of the sky.^{p 11}May the Lord, the God of your ancestors, increase you a thousand times more, and bless you as he promised you. ¹²But how can I bear your troubles, burdens, and disputes by myself? ¹³Appoint for yourselves wise, understanding, and respected men from each of your tribes, and I will make them your leaders.

¹⁴“You replied to me, ‘What you propose to do is good.’

¹⁵“So I took the leaders of your tribes, wise and respected men, and set them over you as leaders: commanders for thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens, and officers for your tribes. ¹⁶I commanded your judges at that time: Hear the cases between your brothers, and judge rightly between a man and his brother or his resident alien. ¹⁷Do not show partiality when deciding a case;^q listen to small and great alike. Do not be intimidated by anyone, for judgment belongs to God.^r Bring me any case too difficult for you, and I will hear it. ¹⁸At that time I commanded you about all the things you were to do.^s