22 Let these rulers judge the people. If there is a very important case, then they can come to you and let you decide what to do. But they can decide the other cases themselves. In this way, these men will share your work with you and it will be easier for you to lead the people.
22 and let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee.
22 And let them judge the people at all times; every great matter they shall bring to you, but every small matter they shall judge. So it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you.
22 and let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge themselves: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee.
22 Let them sit as judges for the people at all times. They should bring every major dispute to you, but they should decide all of the minor cases themselves. This will be much easier for you, and they will share your load.
22 who may judge the people at all times. Then, when anything greater will have occurred, they may refer it to you, and let them judge the lesser matters only. And so it may be lighter for you, the burden being divided among others.
22 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.
Ezra, I give you the authority to use the wisdom you have from your God and choose civil and religious judges. These men will be judges for all the people living in the area west of the Euphrates River. They will judge all the people who know the laws of your God. And if someone doesn’t know those laws, those judges must teach him about those laws.
If you do these things, Lord willing, then you will be still able to do your job. And at the same time, the people can go home with their problems solved.”
These rulers were judges for the people. The people could always bring their arguments to these rulers. And Moses had to decide only the most important cases.
The Israelite woman’s son began cursing and saying bad things about the Lord’s name. So the people brought this man to Moses. (The name of the man’s mother was Shelomith, the daughter of Dibri, from the family group of Dan.)
Then I will come down and speak with you there. The Spirit [158] is on you now. But I will also give some of that Spirit [159] to them. Then they will help you take care of the people. In this way, you will not have to be responsible for these people alone.
Manasseh was Joseph’s son. Makir was Manasseh’s son. Gilead was Makir’s son. The leaders of Gilead’s family went to talk to Moses and the leaders of Israel’s family groups.