¹⁹ Now listen to me; I will give you some advice, and God be with you. You be the one to represent the people before God and bring their cases to him. ²⁰ Instruct them about the statutes and laws, and teach them the way to live and what they must do.^{(A) 21} But you should select from all the people able men, God-fearing, trustworthy, and hating dishonest profit.^(B) Place them over the people as commanders of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens.^{(C) 22} They should judge the people at all times. Then they can bring you every major case but judge every minor case themselves. In this way you will lighten your load,^[a] and they will bear it with you.^{(D) 23} If you do this, and God so directs you, you will be able to endure, and also all these people will be able to go home satisfied.”^[b]

¹⁶ These are the things you must do: Speak truth to one another; make true and sound decisions within your city gates.