Deuteronomy 1:9–18

Appointment of Tribal Leaders

⁹“At that time I said to you, ‘I am unable by myself to bear you.^{* 10}The Lord your God has multiplied you, so that today you are as numerous as the stars of heaven.^{* 11}May the Lord, the God of your ancestors, increase you a thousand times more and bless you, as he has promised you!^{* 12}But how can I bear the heavy burden of your disputes all by myself? ¹³Choose for each of your tribes individuals who are wise, discerning, and reputable, and I will make them your leaders.’^{* 14}You answered me, ‘The plan you have proposed is a good one.’ ¹⁵So I took the leaders of your tribes, wise and reputable individuals, and installed them as leaders over you, commanders of thousands, commanders of hundreds, commanders of fifties, commanders of tens, and officials, throughout your tribes.^{* 16}I charged your judges at that time: ‘Give the members of your community a fair hearing and judge rightly between one person and another, whether kin or resident alien.^{* 17}You must not be partial in judging: hear out the small and the great alike; you shall not be intimidated by anyone, for the judgment is God’s. Any case that is too hard for you, bring to me, and I will hear it.’^{* 18}So I charged you at that time with all the things that you should do.