¹⁹ Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you.^(A) You must be the people’s representative before God and bring their disputes^(B) to him. ²⁰ Teach them his decrees and instructions,^(C) and show them the way they are to live^(D) and how they are to behave.^{(E) 21} But select capable men^(F) from all the people—men who fear^(G) God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain^(H)—and appoint them as officials^(I) over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. ²² Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case^(J) to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share^(K) it with you. ²³ If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied.”

¹⁶ These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth^(A) to each other, and render true and sound judgment^(B) in your courts;^(C)