出埃及记 18
1 摩西的岳父，米甸祭司叶忒罗，听见 神为摩西和 神的百姓以色列所行的一切事，就是耶和华将以色列从埃及领出来的事，
And when Jethro the priest of Madian, the kinsman of Moses, had heard all the things that God had done to Moses, and to Israel his people, and that the Lord had brought forth Israel out of Egypt,
2 便带着摩西的妻子西坡拉，就是摩西从前打发回去的，
He took Sephora the wife of Moses whom he had sent back:
3 又带着西坡拉的两个儿子，一个名叫革舜，因为摩西说：“我在外邦作了寄居的”；
And her two sons, of whom one was called Gersam, his father saying: I have been a stranger in a foreign country.
4 一个名叫以利以谢，因为他说：“我父亲的 神帮助了我，救我脱离法老的刀。”
And the other Eliezer: For the God of my father, said he, is my helper, and hath delivered me from the sword of Pharao.
5 摩西的岳父叶忒罗带着摩西的妻子和两个儿子来到 神的山，就是摩西在旷野安营的地方。
And Jethro the kinsman of Moses came with his sons and his wife, to Moses into the desert, where he was camped by the mountain of God.
6 他对摩西说：“我是你岳父叶忒罗，带着你的妻子和两个儿子来到你这里。”
And he sent word to Moses, saying: I Jethro thy kinsman come to thee, and thy wife, and thy two sons with her.
7 摩西迎接他的岳父，向他下拜，与他亲嘴，彼此问安，都进了帐棚。
And he went out to meet his kinsman, and worshipped and kissed him: and they saluted one another with words of peace. And when he was come into the tent,
8 摩西将耶和华为以色列的缘故向法老和埃及人所行的一切事，以及路上所遭遇的一切艰难，并耶和华怎样搭救他们，都述说与他岳父听。
Moses told his kinsman all that the Lord had done to Pharao, and the Egyptians, in favour of Israel: and all the labour which had befallen them in the journey, and that the Lord had delivered them.
9 叶忒罗因耶和华待以色列的一切好处，就是拯救他们脱离埃及人的手，便甚欢喜。
And Jethro rejoiced for all the good things that the Lord had done to Israel, because he had delivered them out of the hands of the Egyptians.
10 叶忒罗说：“耶和华是应当称颂的；他救了你们脱离埃及人和法老的手，将这百姓从埃及人的手下救出来。
And he said: Blessed is the Lord, who hath delivered you out of the hand of Pharao, and out of the hand of the Egyptians, who hath delivered his people out of the hand of Egypt.
11 我现今在埃及人向这百姓发狂傲的事上得知，耶和华比万神都大。”
Now I know that the Lord is great above all gods: because they dealt proudly against them.
12 摩西的岳父叶忒罗把燔祭和平安祭献给 神。亚伦和以色列的众长老都来了，与摩西的岳父在 神面前吃饭。
So Jethro the kinsman of Moses offered holocausts and sacrifices to God: and Aaron and all the ancients of Israel came, to eat bread with them before God.
13 第二天，摩西坐着审判百姓，百姓从早到晚都站在摩西的左右。
And the next day Moses sat, to judge the people, who stood by Moses from morning until night.
14 摩西的岳父看见他向百姓所做的一切事，就说：“你向百姓做的是什么事呢？你为什么独自坐着，众百姓从早到晚都站在你的左右呢？”
And when his kinsman had seen all things that he did among the people, he said: What is it that thou dost among the people? Why sittest thou alone, and all the people wait from morning till night.
15 摩西对岳父说：“这是因百姓到我这里来求问 神。
And Moses answered him: The people come to me to seek the judgment of God.
16 他们有事的时候就到我这里来，我便在两造之间施行审判；我又叫他们知道 神的律例和法度。”
And when any controversy falleth out among them, they come to me to judge between them, and to shew the precepts of God, and his laws.
17 摩西的岳父说：“你这做的不好。
But he said: The thing thou dost is not good.
18 你和这些百姓必都疲惫；因为这事太重，你独自一人办理不了。
Thou are spent with foolish labour, both thou and this people that is with thee: the business is above thy strength, thou alone canst not bear it.
19 现在你要听我的话。我为你出个主意，愿 神与你同在。你要替百姓到 神面前，将案件奏告 神；
But hear my words and counsels, and God shall be with thee. Be thou to the people in those things that pertain to God, to bring their words to him:
20 又要将律例和法度教训他们，指示他们当行的道，当做的事；
And to shew the people the ceremonies and the manner of worshipping, and the way wherein they ought to walk, and the work that they ought to do.
21 并要从百姓中拣选有才能的人，就是敬畏 神、诚实无妄、恨不义之财的人，派他们作千夫长、百夫长、五十夫长、十夫长，管理百姓，
And provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, in whom there is truth, and that hate avarice, and appoint of them rulers of thousands, and of hundreds, and of fifties, and of tens.
22 叫他们随时审判百姓，大事都要呈到你这里，小事他们自己可以审判。这样，你就轻省些，他们也可以同当此任。
Who may judge the people at all times: and when any great matter soever shall fall out, let them refer it to thee, and let them judge the lesser matters only: that so it may be lighter for thee, the burden being shared out unto others.
23 你若这样行， 神也这样吩咐你，你就能受得住，这百姓也都平平安安归回他们的住处。”
If thou dost this, thou shalt fulfill the commandment of God, and shalt be able to bear his precepts: and all this people shall return to their places with peace.
24 于是，摩西听从他岳父的话，按着他所说的去行。
And when Moses heard this, he did all things that he had suggested unto him.
25 摩西从以色列人中拣选了有才能的人，立他们为百姓的首领，作千夫长、百夫长、五十夫长、十夫长。
And choosing able men out of all Israel, he appointed them rulers of the people, rulers over thousands, and over hundreds, and over fifties, and over tens.
26 他们随时审判百姓，有难断的案件就呈到摩西那里，但各样小事他们自己审判。
And they judged the people at all times: and whatsoever was of greater difficulty they referred to him, and they judged the easier cases only.
27 此后，摩西让他的岳父去，他就往本地去了。
And he let his kinsman depart: and he returned and went into his own country.
