Deuteronomy 1:1–18

The Command to Leave Horeb

1 These are the words Moses spoke to all Israel in the wilderness east of the Jordana—that is, in the Arabahb—opposite Suph, between Paranc and Tophel, Laban, Hazeroth and Dizahab. 2 (It takes eleven days to go from Horebd to Kadesh Barneae by the Mount Seirf road.)g

3 In the fortieth year,h on the first day of the eleventh month,i Moses proclaimedj to the Israelites all that the Lord had commanded him concerning them. 4 This was after he had defeated Sihonk king of the Amorites,l who reigned in Heshbon,m and at Edrei had defeated Ogn king of Bashan, who reigned in Ashtaroth.o

5 East of the Jordan in the territory of Moab,p Moses began to expound this law, saying:

6 The Lord our God said to usq at Horeb,r “You have stayed long enoughs at this mountain. 7 Break camp and advance into the hill country of the Amorites;t go to all the neighboring peoples in the Arabah,u in the mountains, in the western foothills, in the Negevv and along the coast, to the land of the Canaanitesw and to Lebanon,x as far as the great river, the Euphrates.y 8 See, I have given you this landz.a Go in and take possession of the land the Lord sworeb he would give to your fathers—to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob—and to their descendants after them.”

The Appointment of Leaders

9 At that time I said to you, “You are too heavy a burdenc for me to carry alone.d 10 The Lord your God has increasede your numbersf so that today you are as numerousg as the stars in the sky.h 11 May the Lord, the God of your ancestors, increasei you a thousand times and bless you as he has promised!j 12 But how can I bear your problems and your burdens and your disputes all by myself?k 13 Choose some wise, understanding and respected menl from each of your tribes, and I will set them over you.”

14 You answered me, “What you propose to do is good.”

15 So I tookm the leading men of your tribes,n wise and respected men,o and appointed them to have authority over you—as commandersp of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens and as tribal officials.q 16 And I charged your judges at that time, “Hear the disputes between your people and judger fairly,s whether the case is between two Israelites or between an Israelite and a foreigner residing among you.t 17 Do not show partialityu in judging; hear both small and great alike. Do not be afraid of anyone,v for judgment belongs to God. Bring me any case too hard for you, and I will hear it.”w 18 And at that time I told you everything you were to do.x