²⁵ Moses chose ^(A)able men out of all Israel and made them heads over the people, leaders of thousands, ^[a]of hundreds, ^[b]of fifties, and ^[c]of tens.

^13 (A)Obtain for yourselves men who are wise, discerning, and informed from your tribes, and I will appoint them as your heads.’

¹⁵ So I took the heads of your tribes, wise and informed men, and ^[a]appointed them as heads over you, commanders of thousands, ^[b]hundreds, ^[c]fifties, and ^[d]tens, and officers for your tribes.

Reforms Instituted

⁵ He appointed ^(A)judges in the land in all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city. ⁶ He said to the judges, “Consider what you are doing, for ^(B)you do not judge for mankind but for the Lord who is with you ^[a]when you render judgment. ⁷ Now then, let the fear of the Lord be upon you; be careful ^[b]about what you do, for ^[c]the Lord our God will ^(C)have no part in injustice ^(D)or partiality, or in the taking of a bribe.”

⁸ In Jerusalem Jehoshaphat also appointed some ^(E)of the Levites and priests, and some of the heads of the fathers’ households of Israel, for the judgment of the Lord, and ^[d]to judge disputes among the inhabitants of Jerusalem. ⁹ Then he commanded them, saying, “This is what you shall do in the fear of the Lord, faithfully and wholeheartedly. ^10 (F)Whenever any dispute comes to you from your countrymen who live in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and ordinances, you shall warn them so that they will not be guilty before the Lord, and ^(G)wrath will not come on you and your countrymen. This you shall do and you will not be guilty.

Description of a Citizen of Zion.

A Psalm of David.

³ Instead, ^(A)brothers and sisters, select from among you seven men of good reputation, ^(B)full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task.