Exodus 18:19 “Now listen to me; I will give you some advice, and may God be with you…”

Exodus 18:19

Now listen to me; I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people’s representative before God and bring their causes to Him.

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God:

World English Bible

Listen now to my voice. I will give you counsel, and God be with you. You represent the people before God, and bring the causes to God.

American Standard Version

Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God be with thee: be thou for the people to God-ward, and bring thou the causes unto God:

Geneva Bible 1599

Heare nowe my voyce, (I will giue thee counsell, and God shalbe with thee) be thou for the people to Godwarde, and report thou the causes vnto God,

Darby Translation

Hearken now to my voice: I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee. Be thou for the people with God, and bring the matters before God;

Young's Literal Translation

'Now, hearken to my voice, I counsel thee, and God is with thee: be thou for the people over-against God, and thou hast brought in the things unto God;

Bible in Basic English

Give ear now to my suggestion, and may God be with you: you are to be the people's representative before God, taking their causes to him:

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Cross references

“Hearken”

Exodus 18:24 Proverbs 9:9

Exodus 18:24 · BSB

Moses listened to his father-in-law and did everything he said.

Proverbs 9:9 · BSB

Instruct a wise man, and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man, and he will increase his learning.

“God shall”

Exodus 3:12 Genesis 39:2 Exodus 4:12 Deuteronomy 20:1 Joshua 1:9 2 Samuel 14:17

Exodus 3:12 · BSB

“I will surely be with you,” God said, “and this will be the sign to you that I have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, all of you will worship God on this mountain.”

Genesis 39:2 · BSB

And the LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, serving in the household of his Egyptian master.

Exodus 4:12 · BSB

Now go! I will help you as you speak, and I will teach you what to say.”

Deuteronomy 20:1 · BSB

When you go out to war against your enemies and see horses, chariots, and an army larger than yours, do not be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, is with you.

Joshua 1:9 · BSB

Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

2 Samuel 14:17 · BSB

And now your servant says, ‘May the word of my lord the king bring me rest, for my lord the king is able to discern good and evil, just like the angel of God. May the LORD your God be with you.’”

“Be thou”

Exodus 20:19 Deuteronomy 5:5 Exodus 18:15 Exodus 4:16

Exodus 20:19 · BSB

“Speak to us yourself and we will listen,” they said to Moses. “But do not let God speak to us, or we will die.”

Deuteronomy 5:5 · BSB

At that time I was standing between the LORD and you to declare to you the word of the LORD, because you were afraid of the fire and would not go up the mountain. And He said:

Exodus 18:15 · BSB

“Because the people come to me to inquire of God,” Moses replied.

Exodus 4:16 · BSB

He will speak to the people for you. He will be your spokesman, and it will be as if you were God to him.

“bring”

Numbers 27:5

Numbers 27:5 · BSB

So Moses brought their case before the LORD,

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

18Surely you and these people with you will wear yourselves out, because the task is too heavy for you. You cannot handle it alone.

20Teach them the statutes and laws, and show them the way to live and the work they must do.

Read Exodus 18