King James Bible
"And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee."
Jethro advises Moses to establish a permanent judicial system where appointed leaders serve continuously, not just during crises. This marks a shift from Moses' exhausting practice of being the sole judge, introducing the principle of delegated authority that would become foundational to Israel's governance. The system creates a hierarchy of justice where routine disputes are handled locally while complex or precedent-setting cases are escalated to Moses. This practical division ensures Moses remains available for the most critical decisions while empowering subordinate judges to handle daily conflicts. The outcome is twofold: Moses gains relief from an impossible workload, and the burden of leadership becomes shared rather than solitary. This collaborative model demonstrates that effective leadership involves equipping others to serve, not attempting to meet every need personally.