出18:21But select capable men from all the people-men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain-and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.

出18:22Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you.

出18:23If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied."

出18:24Moses listened to his father-in-law and did everything he said.

出18:25He chose capable men from all Israel and made them leaders of the people, officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.

出18:26They served as judges for the people at all times. The difficult cases they brought to Moses, but the simple ones they decided themselves.

出18:27Then Moses sent his father-in-law on his way, and Jethro returned to his own country.

出19:1In the third month after the Israelites left Egypt-on the very day-they came to the Desert of Sinai.

出19:2After they set out from Rephidim, they entered the Desert of Sinai, and Israel camped there in the desert in front of the mountain.

出19:3Then Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain and said, "This is what you are to say to the house of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel:

出19:4'You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself.

出19:5Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine,

出19:6you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites."

出19:7So Moses went back and summoned the elders of the people and set before them all the words the Lord had commanded him to speak.

出19:8The people all responded together, "We will do everything the Lord has said." So Moses brought their answer back to the Lord .

出19:9The Lord said to Moses, "I am going to come to you in a dense cloud, so that the people will hear me speaking with you and will always put their trust in you." Then Moses told the Lord what the people had said.

出19:10And the Lord said to Moses, "Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. Have them wash their clothes

出19:11and be ready by the third day, because on that day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.

出19:12Put limits for the people around the mountain and tell them, 'Be careful that you do not go up the mountain or touch the foot of it. Whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death.

出19:13He shall surely be stoned or shot with arrows; not a hand is to be laid on him. Whether man or animal, he shall not be permitted to live.' Only when the ram's horn sounds a long blast may they go up to the mountain."