Exodus 18 NLT ISV Parallel

◄ Exodus 18 ►

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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.

1Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses' father-in-law, heard all that God had done for Moses and for his people Israel, and how the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt.

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

2Now Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, had taken back Moses' wife Zipporah after she had been sent away,

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.”

3along with her two sons. The name of the one was Gershom, because he used to say, "I was an alien in a foreign land,"

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.”)

4while the name of the other was Eliezer, because he used to say, "My father's God helped me and delivered me from Pharaoh's sword."

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.

5Moses' father-in-law Jethro, together with Moses' two sons and his wife, came to Moses in the desert where he was camped at the mountain of God.

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.”

6He told Moses, "I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you along with your wife and her two sons."

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.

7When Moses went out to meet his father-in-law, he bowed low and kissed him, and they greeted one another. Then they went into the tent.

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.

8Moses told his father-in-law all that the LORD had done to Pharaoh and to the Egyptians on Israel's behalf, all the hardships that they had encountered along the way, and how the LORD had delivered them.

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.

9Jethro rejoiced over all the good that the LORD had done for Israel in delivering them 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!

10Jethro 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 the oppression of the Egyptians.

11I know now that the LORD is greater than all other gods, because he rescued his people from the oppression of the proud Egyptians.”

11Now I know that the LORD is greater than all other gods, because of what happened to the Egyptians when they acted arrogantly against Israel."

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

12Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and sacrifices for God, and Aaron and all the elders of Israel came to dine with Moses' father-in-law in the presence of God.

13The next day, Moses took his seat to hear the people’s disputes against each other. They waited before him from morning till evening.

13The next day Moses sat down to judge the people, and the people stood around Moses from morning until 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?”

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 do you alone sit as judge, with all the people standing around you from morning until evening?"

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

15Moses told his father-in-law, "Because the people come to me to seek God's will.

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.”

16When they have a dispute, it comes to me and I decide between a person and his neighbor, and make known the statutes of God and his instructions."

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

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

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.

18You will certainly wear yourself out, both you and these people who are with you, because the task is too heavy for you. You cannot do it by yourself.

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.

19Now listen to me. I'll advise you, and may God be with you. You are to represent the people before God and bring the disputes to God.

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

20You are to teach them the statutes and instructions and make known to them the way they're to go and the things they're to do.

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.

21You are to look for capable men among the people, men who fear God, men of integrity who hate dishonest gain. You are to set these men over them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens.

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.

22They are to judge the people at all times. Let them bring every major matter to you, but let them judge every minor matter. It will lighten your burden, and they'll bear it with you.

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.”

23If you do this, and God so commands you, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will also go to their homes in peace."

24Moses listened to his father-in-law’s advice and followed his suggestions.

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

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.

25Moses chose capable men from all Israel and appointed them as heads over the people, as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens.

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.

26They judged the people at all times; the difficult matters they brought to Moses, but every minor matter they judged.

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

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

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