Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied.” New Living Translation If 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.” English Standard Version If 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.” Berean Standard Bible If you follow this advice and God so directs you, then you will be able to endure, and all these people can go home in peace.” King James Bible If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to endure, and all this people shall also go to their place in peace. New King James Version If you do this thing, and God so commands you, then you will be able to endure, and all this people will also go to their place in peace.” New American Standard Bible If you do this thing and God so commands you, then you will be able to endure, and all these people also will go to their places in peace.” NASB 1995 “If you do this thing and God so commands you, then you will be able to endure, and all these people also will go to their place in peace.” NASB 1977 “If you do this thing and God so commands you, then you will be able to endure, and all these people also will go to their place in peace.” Legacy Standard Bible If you do this thing and God so commands you, then you will be able to endure, and all these people also will go to their place in peace.” Amplified Bible If you will do this thing and God so commands you, then you will be able to endure [the responsibility], and all these people will also go [back] to their tents in peace.” Christian Standard Bible If you do this, and God so directs you, you will be able to endure, and also all these people will be able to go home satisfied.” Holman Christian Standard Bible If you do this, and God so directs you, you will be able to endure, and also all these people will be able to go home satisfied.” American Standard Version If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to endure, and all this people also shall go to their place in peace. Contemporary English Version This is the way God wants it done. You won't be under nearly as much stress, and everyone else will return home feeling satisfied. English Revised Version If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to endure, and all this people also shall go to their place in peace. GOD'S WORD® Translation If God commands you, and you do this, you will be able to continue your work, and all these people will have their disagreements settled so that they can go home." Good News Translation If you do this, as God commands, you will not wear yourself out, and all these people can go home with their disputes settled." International Standard Version If you do this, and God so commands you, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will also go to their homes in peace." Majority Standard Bible If you follow this advice and God so directs you, then you will be able to endure, and all these people can go home in peace.? NET Bible If you do this thing, and God so commands you, then you will be able to endure, and all these people will be able to go home satisfied." New Heart English Bible If you will do this thing, and God commands you so, then you will be able to endure, and all of these people also will go to their place in peace." Webster's Bible Translation If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to endure, and all this people shall also go to their place in peace. World English Bible If you will do this thing, and God commands you so, then you will be able to endure, and all these people also will go to their place in peace.” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionIf you do this thing, and God has commanded you, then you have been able to stand, and all this people also goes to its place in peace.” Young's Literal Translation If thou dost this thing, and God hath commanded thee, then thou hast been able to stand, and all this people also goeth in unto its place in peace.' Smith's Literal Translation If thou shalt do this word, and God commanded thee, and thou shalt be able to stand, and all this people shall go to their place in peace. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleIf thou dost this, thou shalt fulfil the commandment of God, and shalt be able to bear his precepts: and all this people shall return to their places with peace. Catholic Public Domain Version If you will do this, you will fulfill the orders of God, and you will be able to uphold his precepts. And this entire people will return to their places in peace.” New American Bible If you do this, and God so commands you, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people, too, will go home content.” New Revised Standard Version If you do this, and God so commands you, then you will be able to endure, and all these people will go to their home in peace.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleIf you shall do this thing, and God commands you so, then you shall be able to endure, and all this people shall also go each one to his own house in peace. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And if you do this thing God commands you, also you can stand, also all these people, each one, shall depart to his house in peace. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to endure, and all this people also shall go to their place in peace.' Brenton Septuagint Translation If thou wilt do this thing, God shall strengthen thee, and thou shalt be able to attend, and all this people shall come with peace into their own place. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Jethro Advises Moses…22Have these men judge the people at all times. Then they can bring you any major issue, but all minor cases they can judge on their own, so that your load may be lightened as they share it with you. 23If you follow this advice and God so directs you, then you will be able to endure, and all these people can go home in peace.” 24Moses listened to his father-in-law and did everything he said.… Cross References Deuteronomy 1:9-18 At that time I said to you, “I cannot carry the burden for you alone. / The LORD your God has multiplied you, so that today you are as numerous as the stars in the sky. / May the LORD, the God of your fathers, increase you a thousand times over and bless you as He has promised. ... Numbers 11:14-17 I cannot carry all these people by myself; it is too burdensome for me. / If this is how You are going to treat me, please kill me right now—if I have found favor in Your eyes—and let me not see my own wretchedness.” / Then the LORD said to Moses, “Bring Me seventy of the elders of Israel known to you as leaders and officers of the people. Bring them to the Tent of Meeting and have them stand there with you. ... Acts 6:1-7 In those days when the disciples were increasing in number, the Grecian Jews among them began to grumble against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. / So the Twelve summoned all the disciples and said, “It is unacceptable for us to neglect the word of God in order to wait on tables. / Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men confirmed to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will assign this responsibility to them ... 1 Kings 3:9-12 Therefore give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?” / Now it pleased the Lord that Solomon had made this request. / So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this instead of requesting long life or wealth for yourself or death for your enemies—but you have asked for discernment to administer justice— ... 2 Chronicles 19:5-10 He appointed judges in the land, in each of the fortified cities of Judah. / Then he said to the judges, “Consider carefully what you do, for you are not judging for man, but for the LORD, who is with you when you render judgment. / And now, may the fear of the LORD be upon you. Be careful what you do, for with the LORD our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery.” ... Proverbs 11:14 For lack of guidance, a nation falls, but with many counselors comes deliverance. Proverbs 15:22 Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. Proverbs 24:6 Only with sound guidance should you wage war, and victory lies in a multitude of counselors. Matthew 11:28-30 Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. / Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. / For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Romans 12:8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is giving, let him give generously; if it is leading, let him lead with diligence; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. 1 Corinthians 12:28 And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, and those with gifts of healing, helping, administration, and various tongues. Ephesians 4:11-12 And it was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, / to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ, 1 Timothy 3:1-13 This is a trustworthy saying: If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble task. / An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, / not dependent on wine, not violent but gentle, peaceable, and free of the love of money. ... Titus 1:5-9 The reason I left you in Crete was that you would set in order what was unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. / An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, having children who are believers and who are not open to accusation of indiscretion or insubordination. / As God’s steward, an overseer must be above reproach—not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not greedy for money. ... Hebrews 13:17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch over your souls as those who must give an account. To this end, allow them to lead with joy and not with grief, for that would be of no advantage to you. Treasury of Scripture If you shall do this thing, and God command you so, then you shall be able to endure, and all this people shall also go to their place in peace. God Exodus 18:18 Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone. Genesis 21:10-12 Wherefore she said unto Abraham, Cast out this bondwoman and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac… 1 Samuel 8:6,7,22 But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD… and all this Exodus 16:29 See, for that the LORD hath given you the sabbath, therefore he giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days; abide ye every man in his place, let no man go out of his place on the seventh day. Genesis 18:33 And the LORD went his way, as soon as he had left communing with Abraham: and Abraham returned unto his place. Genesis 30:25 And it came to pass, when Rachel had born Joseph, that Jacob said unto Laban, Send me away, that I may go unto mine own place, and to my country. Jump to Previous Able Approval Command Commanded Commands Endure Gives Home Peace Satisfied Stand Strain WearinessJump to Next Able Approval Command Commanded Commands Endure Gives Home Peace Satisfied Stand Strain WearinessExodus 18 1. Jethro brings his wife and two sons to Moses7. Moses entertains him, and relates the goodness of the Lord 9. Jethro rejoices, blesses God, and offers sacrifice 13. He gives good counsel, which is accepted 27. Jethro departs If you follow this advice This phrase refers to the counsel given by Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, who advised Moses to delegate his judicial responsibilities to capable men. This advice is rooted in the wisdom literature tradition, emphasizing the importance of wise counsel (Proverbs 11:14). It highlights the biblical principle of shared leadership and the necessity of seeking guidance from others, a theme echoed in the New Testament with the appointment of deacons in Acts 6:1-7. and God so directs you then you will be able to endure and all these people can go home in peace. Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe central figure in this passage, Moses is the leader of the Israelites, tasked with guiding them through the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt. 2. Jethro Moses' father-in-law, a Midianite priest, who visits Moses and offers him wise counsel on how to manage the burden of leadership. 3. Israelites The people of God, who have been delivered from slavery in Egypt and are now journeying through the wilderness under Moses' leadership. 4. Midian The region where Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, comes from. It is significant as a place of refuge for Moses before he returned to Egypt to lead the Israelites out. 5. Wilderness The setting of the Israelites' journey, representing both physical and spiritual challenges as they learn to trust and obey God. Teaching Points The Importance of Wise CounselSeeking advice from godly and experienced individuals can provide clarity and direction in leadership and personal decisions. Delegation as a Leadership Principle Effective leadership involves recognizing one's limitations and empowering others to share responsibilities, ensuring sustainability and peace. God's Guidance in Decision-Making While human advice is valuable, it is crucial to seek God's direction to ensure that decisions align with His will and purpose. Endurance Through Shared Burdens Sharing responsibilities not only lightens the load for leaders but also fosters community and peace among the people. Peace as a Result of Orderly Leadership When leadership is structured and responsibilities are clearly defined, it leads to peace and satisfaction within the community.(23) If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so.--A reference of the entire matter to God, before any final decision was made, is plainly indicated. Moses must have already had some mode of consulting God on any point which required to be settled, and obtaining an answer. Was it by the "Urim and Thummim"? Thou shalt be able to endure.--Comp. Exodus 18:18, where the inability of Moses to endure, unless he made some change, was strongly asserted. And all this people shall also go to their place in peace.--The people, i.e., will go on their way to Canaan peacefully and contentedly, without suffering the inconvenience to which they are now subject. Verse 23. - And God command thee so. Jethro does not suppose that Moses will take his advice without further consultation. He assumes that the matter will be laid by Moses before God, and God's will learnt concerning it. The entire narrative supposes that there was some established means by which the Israelite leader could refer a matter to Jehovah and obtain a decision upon it. This can scarcely have been as yet the Urim and Thummim. Probably Moses held frequent communication with Jehovah by means of waking visions. Thou shalt be able to endure - i.e., "the work will not be too much for thee - thou wilt be able to bear it." This people shall also go to their place in peace. The "place" intended would seem to be Palestine. Keil supposes that the word "peace" is to be taken literally, and concludes from it that breaches of the peace had previously been frequent, the people having "often taken the law into their own hands on account of the delay in the judicial decision;" but this is to extract from the words more than they naturally signify. "In peace" means "cheerfully, contentedly." If the changes which he recommends are carried out, Jethro thinks that the people will make the rest of the journey to Canaan quietly and contentedly, without complaint or dissatisfaction.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Ifאִ֣ם (’im) Conjunction Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not you follow תַּעֲשֶׂ֔ה (ta·‘ă·śeh) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 6213: To do, make this הַזֶּה֙ (haz·zeh) Article | Pronoun - masculine singular Strong's 2088: This, that advice הַדָּבָ֤ר (had·dā·ḇār) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause and God אֱלֹהִ֔ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative so directs you, וְצִוְּךָ֣ (wə·ṣiw·wə·ḵā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular | second person masculine singular Strong's 6680: To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order you will be able וְיָֽכָלְתָּ֖ (wə·yā·ḵā·lə·tā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 3201: To be able, have power to endure, עֲמֹ֑ד (‘ă·mōḏ) Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 5975: To stand, in various relations and וְגַם֙ (wə·ḡam) Conjunctive waw | Conjunction Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and all כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every these הַזֶּ֔ה (haz·zeh) Article | Pronoun - masculine singular Strong's 2088: This, that people הָעָ֣ם (hā·‘ām) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock can go יָבֹ֥א (yā·ḇō) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go home מְקֹמ֖וֹ (mə·qō·mōw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 4725: A standing, a spot, a condition in peace.” בְשָׁלֽוֹם׃ (ḇə·šā·lō·wm) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 7965: Safe, well, happy, friendly, welfare, health, prosperity, peace Links Exodus 18:23 NIVExodus 18:23 NLT Exodus 18:23 ESV Exodus 18:23 NASB Exodus 18:23 KJV Exodus 18:23 BibleApps.com Exodus 18:23 Biblia Paralela Exodus 18:23 Chinese Bible Exodus 18:23 French Bible Exodus 18:23 Catholic Bible OT Law: Exodus 18:23 If you will do this thing (Exo. 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