21 But select capable men(A) from all the people—men who fear(B) God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain(C)—and appoint them as officials(D) over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.

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21 Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:

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The Appointment of Leaders

At that time I said to you, “You are too heavy a burden(A) for me to carry alone.(B) 10 The Lord your God has increased(C) your numbers(D) so that today you are as numerous(E) as the stars in the sky.(F) 11 May the Lord, the God of your ancestors, increase(G) you a thousand times and bless you as he has promised!(H) 12 But how can I bear your problems and your burdens and your disputes all by myself?(I) 13 Choose some wise, understanding and respected men(J) from each of your tribes, and I will set them over you.”

14 You answered me, “What you propose to do is good.”

15 So I took(K) the leading men of your tribes,(L) wise and respected men,(M) and appointed them to have authority over you—as commanders(N) of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens and as tribal officials.(O) 16 And I charged your judges at that time, “Hear the disputes between your people and judge(P) fairly,(Q) whether the case is between two Israelites or between an Israelite and a foreigner residing among you.(R) 17 Do not show partiality(S) in judging; hear both small and great alike. Do not be afraid of anyone,(T) for judgment belongs to God. Bring me any case too hard for you, and I will hear it.”(U) 18 And at that time I told you everything you were to do.(V)

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And I spake unto you at that time, saying, I am not able to bear you myself alone:

10 The Lord your God hath multiplied you, and, behold, ye are this day as the stars of heaven for multitude.

11 (The Lord God of your fathers make you a thousand times so many more as ye are, and bless you, as he hath promised you!)

12 How can I myself alone bear your cumbrance, and your burden, and your strife?

13 Take you wise men, and understanding, and known among your tribes, and I will make them rulers over you.

14 And ye answered me, and said, The thing which thou hast spoken is good for us to do.

15 So I took the chief of your tribes, wise men, and known, and made them heads over you, captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, and captains over fifties, and captains over tens, and officers among your tribes.

16 And I charged your judges at that time, saying, Hear the causes between your brethren, and judge righteously between every man and his brother, and the stranger that is with him.

17 Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; but ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God's: and the cause that is too hard for you, bring it unto me, and I will hear it.

18 And I commanded you at that time all the things which ye should do.

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