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19 Now listen to [a]me; [b]I will advise you, and may God be with you [to confirm my advice]. You shall represent the people before God. You shall bring their disputes and causes to Him. 20 You shall teach them the decrees and laws. You shall show them the way they are to live and the work they are to do. 21 Furthermore, you shall select from all the people competent men who [reverently] fear God, men of truth, those who hate dishonest gain; you shall place these over the people as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens.

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Footnotes

  1. Exodus 18:19 Lit my voice.
  2. Exodus 18:19 Instead of speaking directly to Moses, God used Jethro. Jethro’s willingness to speak and Moses’ willingness to listen reflects beautifully on the spiritual and emotional maturity of both men and the value of such a relationship.

19 Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you.(A) You must be the people’s representative before God and bring their disputes(B) to him. 20 Teach them his decrees and instructions,(C) and show them the way they are to live(D) and how they are to behave.(E) 21 But select capable men(F) from all the people—men who fear(G) God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain(H)—and appoint them as officials(I) over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.

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