Exodus 18:1-27, NLT
Exodus 18
Jethro’s Visit to Moses
1Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, heard about everything God had done for Moses and his people, the Israelites. He heard especially about how the Lord had rescued them from Egypt.
2Earlier, Moses had sent his wife, Zipporah, and his two sons back to Jethro, who had taken them in.
7So Moses went out to meet his father-in-law. He bowed low and kissed him. They asked about each other’s welfare and then went into Moses’ tent.
10“Praise the Lord,” Jethro said, “for he has rescued you from the Egyptians and from Pharaoh. Yes, he has rescued Israel from the powerful hand of Egypt!
12Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and sacrifices to God. Aaron and all the elders of Israel came out and joined him in a sacrificial meal in God’s presence.
Jethro’s Wise Advice
13The next day, Moses took his seat to hear the people’s disputes against each other. They waited before him from morning till evening.
14When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he asked, “What are you really accomplishing here? Why are you trying to do all this alone while everyone stands around you from morning till evening?”
15Moses replied, “Because the people come to me to get a ruling from God.
17“This is not good!” Moses’ father-in-law exclaimed.
24Moses listened to his father-in-law’s advice and followed his suggestions.
27Soon after this, Moses said good-bye to his father-in-law, who returned to his own land.