Exodus 18

1 And when Jethro, the priest of Midian, the kinsman of Moses, had heard all that God had done for Moses, and for his people Israel, and that the Lord had led Israel away from Egypt,

摩西的岳父，米甸祭司葉忒羅，聽見上帝為摩西和上帝的百姓以色列所行的一切事，就是耶和華將以色列從埃及領出來的事，

2 he brought Zipporah, the wife of Moses, whom he was to return to him,

便帶着摩西的妻子西坡拉，就是摩西從前打發回去的，

3 and her two sons, of whom one was called Gershom, (for his father said, “I have been a newcomer in a foreign land,”)

又帶着西坡拉的兩個兒子，一個名叫革舜，因為摩西說：「我在外邦作了寄居的」；

4 and the other in truth was Eliezer, (“For the God of my father,” he said, “is my helper, and has rescued me from the sword of Pharaoh.”)

一個名叫以利以謝，因為他說：「我父親的上帝幫助了我，救我脫離法老的刀。」

5 And so Jethro, the kinsman of Moses, with his sons and his wife, came to Moses in the desert, where he was encamped next to the mountain of God.

摩西的岳父葉忒羅帶着摩西的妻子和兩個兒子來到上帝的山，就是摩西在曠野安營的地方。

6 And he sent word to Moses, saying: “I, Jethro, your kinsman, have come to you, with your wife, and your two sons with her.”

他對摩西說：「我是你岳父葉忒羅，帶着你的妻子和兩個兒子來到你這裏。」

7 And going out to meet his kinsman, he reverenced and kissed him. And they saluted each other with peaceful words. And when he had arrived at the tent,

摩西迎接他的岳父，向他下拜，與他親嘴，彼此問安，都進了帳棚。

8 Moses explained to his kinsman all that the Lord had done to Pharaoh and to the Egyptians on behalf of Israel, and all the hardships which had befallen them on the journey, and how the Lord had freed them.

摩西將耶和華為以色列的緣故向法老和埃及人所行的一切事，以及路上所遭遇的一切艱難，並耶和華怎樣搭救他們，都述說與他岳父聽。

9 And Jethro was gladdened over all the good that the Lord had done for Israel, because he had rescued them from the hand of the Egyptians.

葉忒羅因耶和華待以色列的一切好處，就是拯救他們脫離埃及人的手，便甚歡喜。

10 And he said: “Blessed is the Lord, who has freed his people from the hand of the Egyptians and from the hand of Pharaoh; he has rescued his people from the hand of Egypt.

葉忒羅說：「耶和華是應當稱頌的；他救了你們脫離埃及人和法老的手，將這百姓從埃及人的手下救出來。

11 Now I know that the great Lord is above all gods. This is why they acted arrogantly against them.”

我現今在埃及人向這百姓發狂傲的事上得知，耶和華比萬神都大。」

12 And so Jethro, the kinsman of Moses, offered holocausts and sacrifices to God. And Aaron arrived with all the elders of Israel, in order to eat bread with him in the sight of God.

摩西的岳父葉忒羅把燔祭和平安祭獻給上帝。亞倫和以色列的眾長老都來了，與摩西的岳父在上帝面前吃飯。

13 Then, the next day, Moses sat down in order to judge the people, and they stood beside Moses from morning, even until evening.

第二天，摩西坐着審判百姓，百姓從早到晚都站在摩西的左右。

14 And when, of course, his kinsman saw all that he did among the people, he said: “What is this that you do among the people? Why do you sit alone, while all the people stand before you, from morning, even until evening?”

摩西的岳父看見他向百姓所做的一切事，就說：「你向百姓做的是甚麼事呢？你為甚麼獨自坐着，眾百姓從早到晚都站在你的左右呢？」

15 And Moses answered him: “The people come to me seeking the verdict of God.

摩西對岳父說：「這是因百姓到我這裏來求問上帝。

16 And when any kind of dispute occurs among them, they come to me to judge between them, and to reveal the precepts of God and of his laws.”

他們有事的時候就到我這裏來，我便在兩造之間施行審判；我又叫他們知道上帝的律例和法度。」

17 But he said, “This is not good, what you are doing.

摩西的岳父說：「你這做的不好。

18 You will be consumed by foolish efforts, both you and this people who are with you. The task is beyond your strength; you will not be able bear it alone.

你和這些百姓必都疲憊；因為這事太重，你獨自一人辦理不了。

19 But listen to my words and counsels, and then God will be with you. Be available to the people in that which pertains to God, so as to refer what they say to him,

現在你要聽我的話。我為你出個主意，願上帝與你同在。你要替百姓到上帝面前，將案件奏告上帝；

20 and to reveal to the people the ceremonies, and the rituals of worship, and the way by which they should progress, and the work that they should do.

又要將律例和法度教訓他們，指示他們當行的道，當做的事；

21 Then provide, from all of the people, men capable and fearing God, in whom there is truth and who hate avarice, and appoint from them tribunes, and leaders of hundreds, and of fifties, and of tens,

並要從百姓中揀選有才能的人，就是敬畏上帝、誠實無妄、恨不義之財的人，派他們作千夫長、百夫長、五十夫長、十夫長，管理百姓，

22 who may judge the people at all times. Then, when anything greater will have occurred, they may refer it to you, and let them judge the lesser matters only. And so it may be lighter for you, the burden being divided among others.

叫他們隨時審判百姓，大事都要呈到你這裏，小事他們自己可以審判。這樣，你就輕省些，他們也可以同當此任。

23 If you will do this, you will fulfill the orders of God, and you will be able to uphold his precepts. And this entire people will return to their places in peace.”

你若這樣行，上帝也這樣吩咐你，你就能受得住，這百姓也都平平安安歸回他們的住處。」

24 Having heard this, Moses did everything that he had suggested to him.

於是，摩西聽從他岳父的話，按着他所說的去行。

25 And choosing virtuous men from all of Israel, he appointed them as leaders of the people: tribunes, and leaders of hundreds, and of fifties, and of tens.

摩西從以色列人中揀選了有才能的人，立他們為百姓的首領，作千夫長、百夫長、五十夫長、十夫長。

26 And they judged the people at all times. But whatever was more serious, they referred to him, and they judged easier matters only.

他們隨時審判百姓，有難斷的案件就呈到摩西那裏，但各樣小事他們自己審判。

27 And he dismissed his kinsman, who, turning back, went to his own land.

此後，摩西讓他的岳父去，他就往本地去了。