Jethro, the priest of Midian and father-in-law of Moses, heard of all that God had done for Moses and for Israel, how the Lord had brought His people out of Egypt. After Moses had sent away his wife Zipporah, Jethro had received her along with their two sons. The first was Gershom, for Moses had said, "I have become a stranger in a foreign land." The second was Eliezer, for he declared, "My father's God was my help, and He delivered me from Pharaoh's sword."
So Jethro, together with Zipporah and her two sons, came to Moses in the wilderness, where Israel was camped near the mountain of God. Jethro sent word ahead, saying, "I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you with your wife and her two sons."
Moses went out to meet him, bowed down, and kissed him. They greeted one another warmly and entered the tent. Moses told Jethro of all the Lord had done to Pharaoh and Egypt for Israel's sake, the hardships they had faced along the way, and how the Lord had delivered them. Jethro rejoiced at the good things the Lord had done, and he said, "Blessed be the Lord, who rescued you from the power of Egypt and Pharaoh, who delivered the people from their hand. Now I know that the Lord is greater than all gods, for He has triumphed over those who dealt proudly against Israel."
Jethro then brought a burnt offering and sacrifices to God, and Aaron came with the elders of Israel to eat with Moses' father-in-law in the presence of God.
The next day, Moses sat to judge the people from morning till evening. When Jethro saw this, he asked, "What is this you are doing for the people? Why do you sit alone, while all the people stand around you from morning till night?"
Moses answered, "Because the people come to me to seek God's will. When they have a dispute, they bring it to me, and I decide between them, showing them God's statutes and laws."
Jethro replied, "What you are doing is not good. You and these people will wear yourselves out. The task is too heavy; you cannot do it alone. Listen to me, and may God be with you. You must be the people's representative before God and bring their cases to Him. Teach them His statutes and laws, and show them the way they must walk and the work they must do. But choose capable men from among the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as leaders over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. Let them judge the people at all times. Every difficult case they will bring to you, but the simple ones they will decide themselves. This will lighten your burden, and they will bear it with you. If you do this, and God so commands, you will be able to endure, and all these people will go home in peace."
Moses listened to his father-in-law and followed his advice. He chose capable men from Israel and made them leaders over the people—officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. They judged the people at all times, bringing the hard cases to Moses, while handling the simple ones themselves.
After this, Moses sent Jethro on his way, and he returned to his own land.