| Christian Standard Bible | New Living Translation |
| 1Moses's father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian, heard about everything that God had done for Moses and for God's people Israel when the LORD 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's father-in-law, had taken in Zipporah, Moses's wife, after he had sent her back, | 2Earlier, Moses had sent his wife, Zipporah, and his two sons back to Jethro, who had taken them in. |
| 3along with her two sons, one of whom was named Gershom (because Moses had said, "I have been a resident alien 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 other Eliezer (because he had said, "The God of my father was my helper and rescued me from Pharaoh's sword"). | 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.”) |
| 5Moses's father-in-law Jethro, along with Moses's wife and sons, came to him in the wilderness where he was camped 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. |
| 6He sent word to Moses, "I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you with your wife and her two sons." | 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.” |
| 7So Moses went out to meet his father-in-law, bowed down, and then kissed him. They asked each other how they had been 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. |
| 8Moses recounted to his father-in-law all that the LORD had done to Pharaoh and the Egyptians for Israel's sake, all the hardships that confronted them on the way, and how the LORD rescued 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. |
| 9Jethro rejoiced over all the good things the LORD had done for Israel when he rescued them from the power 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. |
| 10"Blessed be the LORD," Jethro exclaimed, "who rescued you from the power of Egypt and from the power of Pharaoh. He has rescued the people from under the power of Egypt! | 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 he did wonders when the Egyptians acted arrogantly against Israel." | 11I know now that the LORD is greater than all other gods, because he rescued his people from the oppression of the proud Egyptians.” |
| 12Then Jethro, Moses's father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and sacrifices to God, and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat a meal with Moses's father-in-law in God's presence. | 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 down to judge the people, and they stood around Moses from morning until 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's father-in-law saw everything he was doing for them he asked, "What is this thing you're doing for the people? Why are you alone sitting as judge, while all the people stand around you from morning until 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?” |
| 15Moses replied 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. |
| 16Whenever they have a dispute, it comes to me, and I make a decision between one man and another. I teach them God's statutes and 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.” |
| 17"What you're doing is not good," Moses's father-in-law said to him. | 17“This is not good!” Moses’ father-in-law exclaimed. |
| 18"You will certainly wear out both yourself and these people who are with you, because the task is too heavy for you. You can't 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 listen to me; I will give you some advice, and God be with you. You be the one to represent the people before God and bring their cases to him. | 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. |
| 20Instruct them about the statutes and laws, and teach them the way to live and what they must do. | 20Teach them God’s decrees, and give them his instructions. Show them how to conduct their lives. |
| 21But you should select from all the people able men, God-fearing, trustworthy, and hating dishonest profit. Place them over the people as commanders of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and 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. |
| 22They should judge the people at all times. Then they can bring you every major case but judge every minor case themselves. In this way you will lighten your load, and they will bear it 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, and God so directs you, you will be able to endure, and also all these people will be able to go home satisfied." | 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.” |
| 24Moses listened to his father-in-law and did everything he said. | 24Moses listened to his father-in-law’s advice and followed his suggestions. |
| 25So Moses chose able men from all Israel and made them leaders over the people as commanders of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and 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. |
| 26They judged the people at all times; they would bring the hard cases to Moses, but they would judge every minor case 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. |
| 27Moses let his father-in-law go, and he journeyed to his own land. | 27Soon after this, Moses said good-bye to his father-in-law, who returned to his own land. |
| The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. | 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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