17 Moses' father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good. 18 You and the people with you will certainly wear yourselves out, for the thing is too heavy for you. (A)You are not able to do it alone. 19 Now obey my voice; I will give you advice, and God be with you! You shall (B)represent the people before God and (C)bring their cases to God, 20 and you shall warn them about the statutes and the laws, and make them know (D)the way in which they must walk and (E)what they must do. 21 Moreover, look for (F)able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. 22 And (G)let them judge the people at all times. (H)Every great matter they shall bring to you, but any small matter they shall decide themselves. So it will be easier for you, and they will (I)bear the burden with you. 23 If you do this, God will direct you, you will be (J)able to endure, and all this people also will go to their place in peace.”

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17 Moses’ father-in-law replied, “What you are doing is not good. 18 You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone.(A) 19 Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you.(B) You must be the people’s representative before God and bring their disputes(C) to him. 20 Teach them his decrees and instructions,(D) and show them the way they are to live(E) and how they are to behave.(F) 21 But select capable men(G) from all the people—men who fear(H) God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain(I)—and appoint them as officials(J) over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. 22 Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case(K) to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share(L) it with you. 23 If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied.”

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