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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0; maximum-scale=1.0; user-scalable=0;"/><title>Exodus 18 ISV</title><link rel="stylesheet" href="/chapnew2.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="../spec.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="../cmenus/exodus/18.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="../topmenuchap/exodus/18-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="http://biblehub.com">Bible</a> > <a href="../">ISV</a> > Exodus 18</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="../exodus/17.htm" title="Exodus 17">◄</a> Exodus 18 <a href="../exodus/19.htm" title="Exodus 19">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top">International Standard Version</td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/p/isv/esv/exodus/18.shtml" style="color:#001320" title="Parallel Chapters"> Par ▾ </a></tr></table></div><div class="chap"><p class="heading">Jethro Visits Moses</p><p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/exodus/18-1.htm"><b>1</b></a></span>Jethro, 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. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/exodus/18-2.htm"><b>2</b></a></span>Now Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, had taken back Moses’ wife Zipporah after she had been sent away, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/exodus/18-3.htm"><b>3</b></a></span>along with her two sons. The name of the one was Gershom, because he used to say, “I was an alien<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="18:3 The Heb. word for alien (ger ) sounds like Gershom">a</a></span> in a foreign land,” <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/exodus/18-4.htm"><b>4</b></a></span>while the name of the other was Eliezer,<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="18:4 The Heb. name Eliezer means My God helps">b</a></span> because he used to say,<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="18:4 The Heb. lacks he used to say">c</a></span> “My father’s God helped me and delivered me from Pharaoh’s sword.”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/exodus/18-5.htm"><b>5</b></a></span>Moses’ 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.<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="18:5 i.e. Mount Sinai">d</a></span> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/exodus/18-6.htm"><b>6</b></a></span>He told Moses, “I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you along with your wife and her two sons.” <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/exodus/18-7.htm"><b>7</b></a></span>When 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.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/exodus/18-8.htm"><b>8</b></a></span>Moses 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. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/exodus/18-9.htm"><b>9</b></a></span>Jethro rejoiced over all the good that the LORD had done for Israel in delivering them from the hand of the Egyptians. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/exodus/18-10.htm"><b>10</b></a></span>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 the oppression<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="18:10 Lit. from under the hand of">e</a></span> of the Egyptians. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/exodus/18-11.htm"><b>11</b></a></span>Now I know that the LORD is greater than all other gods,<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="18:11 Lit. all the gods">f</a></span> because of what happened to<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="18:11 Lit. the matter in which">g</a></span> the Egyptians when<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="18:11 The Heb. lacks when">h</a></span> they acted arrogantly against Israel.” <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/exodus/18-12.htm"><b>12</b></a></span>Jethro, 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.</p> <p class="heading">Jethro Advises Moses to Appoint Judges</p><p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/exodus/18-13.htm"><b>13</b></a></span>The next day Moses sat down to judge the people, and the people stood around Moses from morning until evening. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/exodus/18-14.htm"><b>14</b></a></span>When 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,<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="18:14 The Heb. lacks as judge">i</a></span> with all the people standing around you from morning until evening?”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/exodus/18-15.htm"><b>15</b></a></span>Moses told his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to seek God’s will.<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="18:15 Lit. to inquire of God">j</a></span> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/exodus/18-16.htm"><b>16</b></a></span>When 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.”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/exodus/18-17.htm"><b>17</b></a></span>Moses’ father-in-law told him, “What you are doing is not good. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/exodus/18-18.htm"><b>18</b></a></span>You 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. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/exodus/18-19.htm"><b>19</b></a></span>Now 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. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/exodus/18-20.htm"><b>20</b></a></span>You 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. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/exodus/18-21.htm"><b>21</b></a></span>You 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,<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="18:21 Lit. officials over hundreds">k</a></span> fifties,<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="18:21 Lit. officials over fifties">l</a></span> and tens.<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="18:21 Lit. officials over tens">m</a></span> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/exodus/18-22.htm"><b>22</b></a></span>They 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. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/exodus/18-23.htm"><b>23</b></a></span>If you do this,<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="18:23 Lit. this thing">n</a></span> and God so commands you, you will be able to stand the strain,<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="18:23 Lit. stand">o</a></span> and all these people will also go to their homes in peace.”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/exodus/18-24.htm"><b>24</b></a></span>Moses listened to his father-in-law and did everything he said. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/exodus/18-25.htm"><b>25</b></a></span>Moses chose capable men from all Israel and appointed them as heads over the people, as officials over thousands, hundreds,<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="18:25 Lit. officials over hundreds">p</a></span> fifties,<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="18:25 Lit. officials over fifties">q</a></span> and tens.<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="18:25 Lit. officials over tens">r</a></span> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/exodus/18-26.htm"><b>26</b></a></span>They judged the people at all times; the difficult matters they brought to Moses, but every minor matter they judged. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/exodus/18-27.htm"><b>27</b></a></span>Moses sent his father-in-law on his way, and he went to his own land.</p><hr size="1" color="DDEEFF"><span class="mainfootnotes"><A name="ftn"></a><span class="mainfootnoteshdg">Footnotes:</span><br><span class="fn1"><span class="fnb">a</span> 18:3 The Heb. word for alien (<i>ger</i> ) sounds like Gershom<br /><span class="fnb">b</span> 18:4 The Heb. name Eliezer means <i>My God helps</i><br /><span class="fnb">c</span> 18:4 The Heb. lacks <i>he used to say</i><br /><span class="fnb">d</span> 18:5 i.e. Mount Sinai<br /><span class="fnb">e</span> 18:10 Lit. <i>from under the hand of</i><br /><span class="fnb">f</span> 18:11 Lit. <i>all the gods</i><br /><span class="fnb">g</span> 18:11 Lit. <i>the matter in which</i><br /><span class="fnb">h</span> 18:11 The Heb. lacks <i>when</i><br /><span class="fnb">i</span> 18:14 The Heb. lacks <i>as judge</i><br /><span class="fnb">j</span> 18:15 Lit. <i>to inquire of God</i><br /><span class="fnb">k</span> 18:21 Lit. <i>officials over hundreds</i><br /><span class="fnb">l</span> 18:21 Lit. <i>officials over fifties</i><br /><span class="fnb">m</span> 18:21 Lit. <i>officials over tens</i><br /><span class="fnb">n</span> 18:23 Lit. <i>this thing</i><br /><span class="fnb">o</span> 18:23 Lit. <i>stand</i><br /><span class="fnb">p</span> 18:25 Lit. <i>officials over hundreds</i><br /><span class="fnb">q</span> 18:25 Lit. <i>officials over fifties</i><br /><span class="fnb">r</span> 18:25 Lit. <i>officials over tens</i><br /></span><br><br><hr size="1" color="DDEEFF"><div align="center"><div id="botbox"><div class="padbot"><div align="center">The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1<br />Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation<br />ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/">Bible Hub</a></div></div></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="../exodus/17.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Exodus 17"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Exodus 17" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="../exodus/19.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Exodus 19"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Exodus 19" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="rightbox"><div class="padright"><div id="pic"><iframe width="100%" height="860" scrolling="no" src="//biblescan.com/mpc/exodus/18-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></div></div><div id="rightbox4"><div class="padright2"><div id="spons1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tr><td class="sp1"><iframe width="122" height="860" scrolling="no" src="../sidemenu.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="bot"><div align="center" style="background-color:#F2FAFF"><br /><br /><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><script async src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>  <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="6710025936" data-ad-format="auto"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); 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