Exodus 18 NIV NLT Parallel

◄ Exodus 18 ►

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1Now Jethro, the priest of Midian and father-in-law of Moses, heard of everything God had done for Moses and for his people Israel, and how the LORD had 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.

2After Moses had sent away his wife Zipporah, his father-in-law Jethro received her

2Earlier, Moses had sent his wife, Zipporah, and his two sons back to Jethro, who had taken them in.

3and her two sons. One son was named Gershom, for Moses said, "I have become a foreigner 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 was named Eliezer, for he said, "My father's God was my helper; he saved me from the sword of Pharaoh."

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.”)

5Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, together with Moses' sons and wife, came to him in the wilderness, where he was camped near 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.

6Jethro had sent word to him, "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 and bowed down and kissed him. They greeted each other and then 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 told his father-in-law about everything the LORD had done to Pharaoh and the Egyptians for Israel's sake and about all the hardships they had met along the way and how the LORD had saved 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 was delighted to hear about all the good things the LORD had done for Israel in rescuing them from the hand 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.

10He said, "Praise be to the LORD, who rescued you from the hand of the Egyptians and of Pharaoh, and who rescued the people from the hand of the Egyptians.

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 other gods, for he did this to those who had treated Israel arrogantly."

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' father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and other sacrifices to God, and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat a meal with Moses' father-in-law in the presence of God.

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 took his seat to serve as judge for the people, and they stood around him from morning till 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 his father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he said, "What is this you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit as judge, while all these people stand around you from morning till 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 answered him, "Because the people come to me to seek God's will.

15Moses replied, “Because the people come to me to get a ruling from God.

16Whenever they have a dispute, it is brought to me, and I decide between the parties and inform them of God's decrees and instructions."

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.”

17Moses' father-in-law replied, "What you are doing is not good.

17“This is not good!” Moses’ father-in-law exclaimed.

18You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle 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.

19Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people's representative before God and bring their disputes 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.

20Teach them his decrees and instructions, and show them the way they are to live and how they are to behave.

20Teach them God’s decrees, and give them his instructions. Show them how to conduct their lives.

21But select capable men from all the people--men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain--and appoint them as officials over 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.

22Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share 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 commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will 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.

25He chose capable men from all Israel and made them leaders of the people, officials over 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 served as judges for the people at all times. The difficult cases they brought to Moses, but the simple ones they decided 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.

27Then Moses sent his father-in-law on his way, and Jethro returned to his own country.

27Soon after this, Moses said good-bye to his father-in-law, who returned to his own land.

New International Version (NIV)

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