Exodus 18:19
“Hearken now vnto my voyce, I will giue thee counsell, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to Godward, that thou mayest bring the causes vnto God:”
1611 King James Version (KJV)
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Exodus 18:19 Context
17And Moses father in law saide vnto him, The thing that thou doest, is not good. 18Thou wilt surely weare away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for this thing is too heauy for thee; thou art not able to performe it thy selfe alone. 19Hearken now vnto my voyce, I will giue thee counsell, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to Godward, that thou mayest bring the causes vnto God: 20And thou shalt teach them ordinances and lawes, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walke, and the worke that they must doe. 21Moreouer thou shalt prouide out of all the people able men, such as feare God, men of trueth, hating couetousnesse, and place such ouer them, to bee rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tennes.
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Other Translations
Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God:
- King James Version
"Now listen to me: I will give you counsel, and God be with you. You be the people's representative before God, and you bring the disputes to God,
- New American Standard Version (1995)
Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God be with thee: be thou for the people to God-ward, and bring thou the causes unto God:
- American Standard Version (1901)
Give ear now to my suggestion, and may God be with you: you are to be the people's representative before God, taking their causes to him:
- Basic English Bible
Hearken now to my voice: I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee. Be thou for the people with God, and bring the matters before God;
- Darby Bible
Hearken now to my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people toward God, that thou mayest bring the causes to God:
- Webster's Bible
Listen now to my voice. I will give you counsel, and God be with you. You represent the people before God, and bring the causes to God.
- World English Bible
`Now, hearken to my voice, I counsel thee, and God is with thee: be thou for the people over-against God, and thou hast brought in the things unto God;
- Youngs Literal Bible
Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God be with thee: be thou for the people before God, and bring thou the causes unto God.
- Jewish Publication Society Bible
- King James Version
"Now listen to me: I will give you counsel, and God be with you. You be the people's representative before God, and you bring the disputes to God,
- New American Standard Version (1995)
Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God be with thee: be thou for the people to God-ward, and bring thou the causes unto God:
- American Standard Version (1901)
Give ear now to my suggestion, and may God be with you: you are to be the people's representative before God, taking their causes to him:
- Basic English Bible
Hearken now to my voice: I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee. Be thou for the people with God, and bring the matters before God;
- Darby Bible
Hearken now to my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people toward God, that thou mayest bring the causes to God:
- Webster's Bible
Listen now to my voice. I will give you counsel, and God be with you. You represent the people before God, and bring the causes to God.
- World English Bible
`Now, hearken to my voice, I counsel thee, and God is with thee: be thou for the people over-against God, and thou hast brought in the things unto God;
- Youngs Literal Bible
Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God be with thee: be thou for the people before God, and bring thou the causes unto God.
- Jewish Publication Society Bible
Bible commentary
Wesley's Notes for Exodus 18:19
18:19 Be thou for them to God - ward - That was an honour which it was not fit any other should share with him in. Also whatever concerned the whole congregation must pass through his hand, #Ex 18:20|. But, he appointed judges in the several tribes and families, which should try causes between man and man, and determine them, which would be done with less noise, and more dispatch than in the general assembly. Those whose gifts and stations are most eminent may yet be greatly furthered in their work by the assistance of those that are every way their inferiors. This is Jethro's advice; but he adds two qualifications to his counsel. That great care should be taken in the choice of the persons who should be admitted into this trust; it was requisite that they should be men of the best character. For judgment and resolution, able men: men of good sense, that understood business; and bold men, that would not be daunted by frowns or clamours. Clear heads and stout hearts make good judges. For piety, such as fear God, who believe there is a God above them, whose eye is upon them, to whom they are accountable, and whose judgment they stand in awe of. Conscientious men, that dare not do an ill thing, though they could do it never so secretly and securely. For honesty, men of truth, whose word one may take, and whose fidelity one may rely upon. For a generous contempt of worldly wealth, hating covetousness, not only not seeking bribes, or aiming to enrich themselves, but abhorring the thought of it. That he should attend God's direction in the case, #Ex 18:23|. If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so - Jethro knew that Moses had a better counsellor than he was, and to his counsel he refers him.