1 Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses’ father-in-law, heard all that God had done for Moses and for Israel his people, and that the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt. 2 Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, took along Moses’ wife Zipporah, after she had been sent away, 3 and her two sons. One was named Gershom, for Moses had said, “I have been a stranger in a strange land.” 4 The other was named Eliezer, for he had said, “The God of my father was my help and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh.” 5 Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, came with Moses’ sons and wife to Moses in the wilderness, where he was camped at the mountain of God. 6 He said to Moses, “I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you with your wife and her two sons.” 7 Moses went out to meet his father-in-law, bowed down, and kissed him. They asked one another how they were and went into the tent. 8 Moses told his father-in-law all that the LORD had done to Pharaoh and the Egyptians for Israel’s sake, all the hardship that had befallen them on the way, and how the LORD had delivered them. 9 Jethro rejoiced over all the good the LORD had done for Israel in delivering them from the hand of the Egyptians. 10 Jethro said, “Blessed be the LORD, who delivered you from the hand of the Egyptians and from the hand of Pharaoh, and who delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians! 11 Now I know that the LORD is greater than all the gods, for in the very matter in which they acted arrogantly, he was above them.” 12 Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God. Aaron and all the elders of Israel came to eat bread with Moses’ father-in-law before God. 13 The next day Moses sat to judge the people, and the people stood before Moses from morning until evening. 14 When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he was doing for the people, he said, “What is this you are doing for the people? Why do you sit alone, while all the people stand before you from morning until evening?” 15 Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God. 16 When they have a matter, it comes to me, and I judge between one person and another and make known the statutes of God and his laws.” 17 Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good. 18 You will surely wear out, both you and these people with you, for the task is too heavy for you. You cannot do it alone. 19 Now listen to my voice; I will give you counsel, and may God be with you. Represent the people before God and bring their matters to God. 20 Instruct them in the statutes and the laws, and make known to them the way they are to walk and the work they are to do. 21 You shall select from all the people capable men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate unjust gain. Appoint them over the people as leaders of thousands, leaders of hundreds, leaders of fifties, and leaders of tens. 22 Let them judge the people at all times. They shall bring every major matter to you, but every minor matter they shall judge themselves. Lighten your burden, and they will bear it with you. 23 If you do this and God commands you to do so, you will be able to endure, and all these people will also go to their place in peace.” 24 Moses listened to the voice of his father-in-law and did all that he had said. 25 Moses chose capable men from all Israel and appointed them as heads over the people: leaders of thousands, leaders of hundreds, leaders of fifties, and leaders of tens. 26 They judged the people at all times. They would bring the difficult matters to Moses, but every minor matter they judged themselves. 27 Moses sent his father-in-law on his way, and he went to his own land.