18:1And when Jethro, the priest of Midian, the kinsman of Moses, had heard all the things which God had done for Moses, and for Israel his people, and that the Lord had led Israel out of Egypt, he took Zipporah the wife of Moses, whom he had sent back, and her two sons: of whom one was called Gershom, his father saying: "I have been a newcomer in a foreign land"; 18:4and the other Eliezer: "For the God of my father," he said, "is my helper, and has rescued me from the sword of Pharaoh." 18:5So Jethro, the kinsman of Moses, came, and his sons, and his wife, to Moses in the desert, where he was encamped beside the mountain of God.
18:6And he sent word to Moses, saying: "I, Jethro your kinsman, am coming to you, and your wife, and the two sons with her." 18:7And he, having gone out to meet his kinsman, bowed down, and kissed him: and they greeted each other mutually with peaceful words. 18:7And when he had entered the tent, Moses told his kinsman all the things which the Lord had done to Pharaoh and the Egyptians for the sake of Israel: and all the hardship which had befallen them on the journey, and that the Lord had freed them. 18:9And Jethro rejoiced over all the good things which the Lord had done for Israel, because he had rescued it from the hand of the Egyptians.
18:10And he said: "Blessed be the Lord, who has freed you from the hand of the Egyptians, and from the hand of Pharaoh; 18:10who has rescued his people from the hand of Egypt. 18:11Now I have come to know that the Lord is great above all gods: because they acted proudly against them." 18:12So Jethro, the kinsman of Moses, offered burnt offerings and victims to God: and Aaron and all the elders of Israel came, to eat bread with him before God. 18:13But on the next day Moses sat to judge the people, which stood by Moses from morning until evening. 18:14And when his kinsman had seen this, that is, all the things which he was doing among the people, he said: "What is this that you are doing among the common people?
18:14Why do you sit alone, and all the people waits from morning until evening?" 18:15To him Moses answered: "The people comes to me seeking the judgement of God: and when any dispute has arisen among them, they come to me so that I may judge between them, and show the precepts of God, and his laws." 18:17But he: "It is not a good thing," he said, "that you are doing. 18:18You are being worn out with foolish labour, both you, and this people which is with you: the business is beyond your strength; 18:18alone you will not be able to bear it. 18:19But hear my words and counsels, and God will be with you.
18:19Be you for the people in the things which belong to God, so that you may report to him what is said: and that you may show the people the ceremonies and the rite of worship, and the way by which they ought to walk, and the work which they ought to do. 18:21But provide out of all the common people able men, and fearing God, in whom there is truth, and who hate avarice, and appoint from them tribunes, and centurions, and captains of fifty, and captains of ten, to judge the people at all times: but whatever is greater, let them refer to you, and let them themselves judge only the lesser things: and let it be lighter for you, the burden having been shared out among others.
18:23If you do this, you will fulfil the command of God, and you will be able to sustain his precepts: and all this people will return to their places with peace." 18:24These things having been heard, Moses did all the things which he had suggested. 18:25And, able men having been chosen out of all Israel, he appointed them leaders of the people, tribunes, and centurions, and captains of fifty, and captains of ten. 18:26And they were judging the common people at all times: but whatever was more serious, they were referring to him, judging only the easier things. 18:27And he let his kinsman go: and he, having turned back, went away into his own land.