King James Bible
"And I charged your judges at that time, saying, Hear the causes between your brethren, and judge righteously between every man and his brother, and the stranger that is with him."
Moses recalls appointing judges during Israel's wilderness journey, establishing a judicial system to handle disputes among the growing nation. This administrative reform occurred after Jethro's advice, delegating Moses' overwhelming caseload to capable leaders. Judges must actively listen to both parties in disputes among fellow Israelites, giving full attention to understand the facts before rendering judgment. The emphasis on hearing underscores patience and thoroughness as prerequisites for justice. Justice must be impartial and based on God's standards of righteousness, not favoritism or bribes. The phrase emphasizes fairness within the covenant community where all Israelites are brothers under God's law. Foreign residents living among Israel must receive equal justice, reflecting God's concern for vulnerable outsiders. This inclusion demonstrates that righteous judgment transcends ethnic boundaries, foreshadowing the law's repeated protections for sojourners.