出埃及記 18
1 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，
Moses' father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian, heard about everything God had done for Moses and his people the Israelites, and how the Lord had led them out of Egypt.
2 便帶着摩西的妻子西坡拉，就是摩西從前打發回去的，
When Moses had sent home his wife Zipporah, his father-in-law Jethro had welcomed her,
3 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」；
together with her two sons. One son was named Gershom, for Moses had said, “I have been a foreigner in a foreign land.”
4 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。」
The other son was named Eliezer, because Moses had said, “The God of my father was my helper, and saved me from death at Pharaoh's hand.”
5 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。
Moses' father-in-law Jethro, together with Moses' wife and sons, came to see him in the desert at the camp near the mountain of God.
6 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。」
Moses was told beforehand, “I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to see you together with your wife and her two sons.”
7 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。
Moses went out to meet his father-in-law and bowed down and kissed him. They asked each other how they were and then went into the tent.
8 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。
Moses told his father-in-law about everything the Lord had done to Pharaoh and the Egyptians on behalf of the Israelites, about all the troubles they had experienced on the way, and about how the Lord had saved them.
9 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。
Jethro was delighted to hear about all the good things the Lord had done for Israel when he'd saved them from the Egyptians.
10 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。
Jethro announced, “May the Lord be blessed, who saved you from the Egyptians and from Pharaoh.
11 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。」
This is so convincing to me that the Lord is greater than all other gods, for he saved the people from the Egyptians when they acted so arrogantly towards the Israelites.”
12 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。
Then Jethro presented a burnt offering and sacrifices to God, and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat a meal with him in God's presence.
13 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。
The following day Moses sat as a judge for the people, and they presented their cases to him from morning to evening.
14 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？」
When his father-in-law saw everything that Moses was doing for the people, he asked, “What's all this you're doing for the people? Why are you sitting alone as judge, with everyone presenting their cases to you from morning to evening?”
15 摩西對岳父說：「這是因百姓到我這裏來求問上帝。
“Because the people come to me to ask God for his decision,” Moses replied.
16 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。」
“When they argue over something, the case is brought before me to decide between one them, and I explain to them the God's laws and regulations.”
17 摩西的岳父說：「你這做的不好。
Jethro told him, “What you're doing is not the best.
18 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。
You, and these people who come to you, are all going to wear yourselves out, because the workload is far too heavy. You can't handle it alone.
19 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；
So please listen to me. I'm going to give you some advice, and God will be with you. Yes, you must continue to be the people's representative before God, and take their cases to him.
20 又要將律例和法度教訓他們，指示他們當行的道，當做的事；
Go on teaching them the laws and regulations. Show them how to live and the work they are to do.
21 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，
But now you should choose men who are competent from among the people, men who respect God and who are trustworthy and not corrupt. Put them in charge of the people as leaders of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens.
22 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。
These men are to judge the people on a continuing basis. Major issues they can bring to you, but they can decide all the small matters themselves. In this way your burden will be made lighter as they share it with you.
23 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。」
If you follow my advice, and if it's what God tells you to do, then you will be able to survive, and all these people can go home satisfied that their cases have been heard.”
24 於是，摩西聽從他岳父的話，按着他所說的去行。
Moses listened to what his father-in-law said and followed all his advice.
25 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。
So Moses chose competent men from all of Israel and put them in charge of the people as leaders of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens.
26 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。
They acted as judges for the people on a continuing basis. They brought the difficult cases to Moses, but they would judge the small matters themselves.
27 此後，摩西讓他的岳父去，他就往本地去了。
Then Moses sent Jethro on his way, and he went back to his own country.
