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