Deuteronomy 1:9-18

The Appointment of Judges

⁹ At the time I told you, "I can't do this, can't carry you all by myself. ¹⁰ God, your God, has multiplied your numbers. Why, look at you - you rival the stars in the sky! ¹¹ And may God, the God-of-Your-Fathers, keep it up and multiply you another thousand times, bless you just as he promised. ¹² But how can I carry, all by myself, your troubles and burdens and quarrels? ¹³ So select some wise, understanding, and seasoned men from your tribes, and I will commission them as your leaders." ¹⁴ You answered me, "Good! A good solution." ¹⁵ So I went ahead and took the top men of your tribes, wise and seasoned, and made them your leaders - leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens, officials adequate for each of your tribes. ¹⁶ At the same time I gave orders to your judges: "Listen carefully to complaints and accusations between your fellow Israelites. Judge fairly between each person and his fellow or foreigner. ¹⁷ Don't play favorites; treat the little and the big alike; listen carefully to each. Don't be impressed by big names. This is God's judgment you're dealing with. Hard cases you can bring to me; I'll deal with them." ¹⁸ I issued orders to you at that time regarding everything you would have to deal with.