⁹At that time I spoke to you. I said, “You are too heavy a load for me to carry alone. ¹⁰The Lord your God has increased your numbers. Today you are as many as the stars in the sky. ¹¹The Lord is the God of your people. May he increase your numbers a thousand times. May he bless you, just as he promised he would. ¹²But I can’t handle your problems and troubles all by myself. I can’t settle your arguments.

¹³“So choose some wise men from each of your tribes. They must understand how to give good advice. The people must have respect for them. I will appoint those men to have authority over you.”

¹⁴You answered me, “Your suggestion is good.”

¹⁵So I took the leading men of your tribes who were wise and respected. I appointed them to have authority over you. I made them commanders of thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. I appointed them to be officials over the tribes.

¹⁶Here is what I commanded your judges at that time. I said, “Listen to your people’s cases when they argue with one another. Judge them fairly. It doesn’t matter whether the case is between fellow Israelites or between an Israelite and an outsider. ¹⁷When you judge them, treat everyone the same. Listen to those who are important and those who are not. Don’t be afraid of any man. God is the highest judge. Bring me any case that is too hard for you. I’ll listen to it.” ¹⁸At that time I told you everything you should do.

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