Exodus 18:1–12

Jethro Visits Moses

18Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, was the priest of Midian. He heard about everything that God had done for Moses and his people, the Israelites, and how the Lord had led the Israelites out of Egypt. ²Now Moses had sent his wife Zipporah to Jethro, his father-in-law, ³along with his two sons. The first son was named Gershom, ⁿ because when he was born, Moses said, “I am a stranger in a foreign country.” ⁴The other son was named Eliezer, ⁿ because when he was born, Moses said, “The God of my father is my help. He saved me from the king of Egypt.”

⁵So Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, took Moses’ wife and his two sons and went to Moses. He was camped in the desert near the mountain of God. ⁶Jethro had sent a message ahead to Moses that said, “I, Jethro, your father-in-law, am coming to you with your wife and her two sons.”

⁷So Moses went out to meet his father-in-law and bowed down and kissed him. After the two men asked about each other’s health, they went into Moses’ tent. ⁸Moses told his father-in-law everything the Lord had done to the king and the Egyptians to help Israel. He told about all the problems they had faced along the way and how the Lord had saved them.

⁹Jethro was very happy to hear all the good things the Lord had done for Israel when he had saved them from the Egyptians. ¹⁰He said, “Praise the Lord. He has saved you from the Egyptians and their king, and he has saved the people from the power of the Egyptians. ¹¹Now I know the Lord is greater than all gods, because he did this to those who looked down on Israel.” ¹²Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, gave a whole burnt offering and other sacrifices to God. Aaron and all the elders of Israel came to Moses’ father-in-law to eat the holy meal together before God.