Exodus 18:13-27

13On the next day Moses sat to judge the people, and the people stood around Moses from morning until 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 are you sitting by yourself, and all the people stand around you from morning until evening?”

15Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God.

16When they have a dispute, it comes to me and I decide between a man and his neighbor, and I make known the decrees of God and his laws.”

17Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good!

18You will surely wear out, both you and these people who are with you, for this is too heavy a burden for you; you are not able to do it by yourself.

19Now listen to me, I will give you advice, and may God be with you: You be a representative for the people to God, and you bring their disputes to God;

20warn them of the statutes and the laws, and make known to them the way in which they must walk and the work they must do.

21But you choose from the people capable men, God-fearing, men of truth, those who hate bribes, and put them over the people as rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.

22They will judge the people under normal circumstances, and every difficult case they will bring to you, but every small case they themselves will judge, so that you may make it easier for yourself, and they will bear the burden with you.

23If 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.”

24Moses listened to his father-in-law and did everything he had said.

25Moses chose capable men from all Israel, and he made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.

26They judged the people under normal circumstances; the difficult cases they would bring to Moses, but every small case they would judge themselves.

27Then Moses sent his father-in-law on his way, and so Jethro went to his own land.