17 "What you’re doing is not good," Moses’s father-in-law said to him. 18 "You will certainly wear out both yourself and these people who are with you, because the task is too heavy for you. You can’t do it alone. 18:18 Ex 3:12; 4:16; Nm 27:519 Now listen to me; I will give you some advice, and God be with you. You be the one to represent the people before God and bring their cases to him. 20 Instruct them about the statutes and laws, and teach them the way to live and what they must do. 18:20 Dt 1:18; 5:1; Ps 143:821 But you should select from all the people able men, God-fearing, trustworthy, and hating dishonest profit. 18:21 Ex 18:8; Dt 16:19; Ac 6:3 Place them over the people as commanders of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. 18:21 Dt 1:15; 2Ch 19:5–1022 They should judge the people at all times. Then they can bring you every major case but judge every minor case themselves. In this way you will lighten your load, 18:22 Lit lighten from on you and they will bear it with you. 18:22 Lv 24:11; Nm 11:17; Dt 1:1723 If you do this, and God so directs you, you will be able to endure, and also all these people will be able to go home satisfied." 18:23 Lit go to their place in peace