| English Standard Version | New Living Translation |
| 1Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses’ father-in-law, heard of all that God had done for Moses and for Israel his people, how the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt. | 1Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, heard about everything God had done for Moses and his people, the Israelites. He heard especially about how the LORD had rescued them from Egypt. |
| 2Now Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, had taken Zipporah, Moses’ wife, after he had sent her home, | 2Earlier, Moses had sent his wife, Zipporah, and his two sons back to Jethro, who had taken them in. |
| 3along with her two sons. The name of the one was Gershom (for he said, “I have been a sojourner in a foreign land”), | 3(Moses’ first son was named Gershom, for Moses had said when the boy was born, “I have been a foreigner in a foreign land.” |
| 4and the name of the other, Eliezer (for he said, “The God of my father was my help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh”). | 4His second son was named Eliezer, for Moses had said, “The God of my ancestors was my helper; he rescued me from the sword of Pharaoh.”) |
| 5Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, came with his sons and his wife to Moses in the wilderness where he was encamped at the mountain of God. | 5Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, now came to visit Moses in the wilderness. He brought Moses’ wife and two sons with him, and they arrived while Moses and the people were camped near the mountain of God. |
| 6And when he sent word to Moses, “I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you with your wife and her two sons with her,” | 6Jethro had sent a message to Moses, saying, “I, Jethro, your father-in-law, am coming to see you with your wife and your two sons.” |
| 7Moses went out to meet his father-in-law and bowed down and kissed him. And they asked each other of their welfare and went into the tent. | 7So Moses went out to meet his father-in-law. He bowed low and kissed him. They asked about each other’s welfare and then went into Moses’ tent. |
| 8Then Moses told his father-in-law all that the LORD had done to Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel’s sake, all the hardship that had come upon them in the way, and how the LORD had delivered them. | 8Moses told his father-in-law everything the LORD had done to Pharaoh and Egypt on behalf of Israel. He also told about all the hardships they had experienced along the way and how the LORD had rescued his people from all their troubles. |
| 9And Jethro rejoiced for all the good that the LORD had done to Israel, in that he had delivered them out of the hand of the Egyptians. | 9Jethro was delighted when he heard about all the good things the LORD had done for Israel as he rescued them from the hand of the Egyptians. |
| 10Jethro said, “Blessed be the LORD, who has delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians and out of the hand of Pharaoh and has delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians. | 10“Praise the LORD,” Jethro said, “for he has rescued you from the Egyptians and from Pharaoh. Yes, he has rescued Israel from the powerful hand of Egypt! |
| 11Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods, because in this affair they dealt arrogantly with the people.” | 11I know now that the LORD is greater than all other gods, because he rescued his people from the oppression of the proud Egyptians.” |
| 12And Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and sacrifices to God; and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat bread with Moses’ father-in-law before God. | 12Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and sacrifices to God. Aaron and all the elders of Israel came out and joined him in a sacrificial meal in God’s presence. Jethro’s Wise Advice |
| 13The next day Moses sat to judge the people, and the people stood around Moses from morning till evening. | 13The next day, Moses took his seat to hear the people’s disputes against each other. They waited before him from morning till evening. |
| 14When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he was doing for the people, he said, “What is this that you are doing for the people? Why do you sit alone, and all the people stand around you from morning till evening?” | 14When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he asked, “What are you really accomplishing here? Why are you trying to do all this alone while everyone stands around you from morning till evening?” |
| 15And Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God; | 15Moses replied, “Because the people come to me to get a ruling from God. |
| 16when they have a dispute, they come to me and I decide between one person and another, and I make them know the statutes of God and his laws.” | 16When a dispute arises, they come to me, and I am the one who settles the case between the quarreling parties. I inform the people of God’s decrees and give them his instructions.” |
| 17Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good. | 17“This is not good!” Moses’ father-in-law exclaimed. |
| 18You and the people with you will certainly wear yourselves out, for the thing is too heavy for you. You are not able to do it alone. | 18“You’re going to wear yourself out—and the people, too. This job is too heavy a burden for you to handle all by yourself. |
| 19Now obey my voice; I will give you advice, and God be with you! You shall represent the people before God and bring their cases to God, | 19Now listen to me, and let me give you a word of advice, and may God be with you. You should continue to be the people’s representative before God, bringing their disputes to him. |
| 20and you shall warn them about the statutes and the laws, and make them know the way in which they must walk and what they must do. | 20Teach them God’s decrees, and give them his instructions. Show them how to conduct their lives. |
| 21Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. | 21But select from all the people some capable, honest men who fear God and hate bribes. Appoint them as leaders over groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten. |
| 22And let them judge the people at all times. Every great matter they shall bring to you, but any small matter they shall decide themselves. So it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you. | 22They should always be available to solve the people’s common disputes, but have them bring the major cases to you. Let the leaders decide the smaller matters themselves. They will help you carry the load, making the task easier for you. |
| 23If you do this, God will direct you, you will be able to endure, and all this people also will go to their place in peace.” | 23If you follow this advice, and if God commands you to do so, then you will be able to endure the pressures, and all these people will go home in peace.” |
| 24So Moses listened to the voice of his father-in-law and did all that he had said. | 24Moses listened to his father-in-law’s advice and followed his suggestions. |
| 25Moses chose able men out of all Israel and made them heads over the people, chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. | 25He chose capable men from all over Israel and appointed them as leaders over the people. He put them in charge of groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten. |
| 26And they judged the people at all times. Any hard case they brought to Moses, but any small matter they decided themselves. | 26These men were always available to solve the people’s common disputes. They brought the major cases to Moses, but they took care of the smaller matters themselves. |
| 27Then Moses let his father-in-law depart, and he went away to his own country. | 27Soon after this, Moses said good-bye to his father-in-law, who returned to his own land. |
| ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved. | Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. |
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