Exod.17.1

Directed by GOD, the whole company of Israel moved on by stages from the Wilderness of Sin. They set camp at Rephidim. And there wasn't a drop of water for the people to drink.

Exod.17.1

The whole Israelite community set out from the Desert of Sin, traveling from place to place as the LORD commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink.

Exod.17.1

Then all the congregation of the children of Israel set out on their journey from the Wilderness of Sin, according to the commandment of the LORD, and camped in Rephidim; but there was no water for the people to drink.

Exod.17.1

At the LORD's command, the people of Israel left the Sin Desert and moved from place to place. Eventually they came to Rephidim, but there was no water to be found there.

Exod.17.2

The people took Moses to task: "Give us water to drink." But Moses said, "Why pester me? Why are you testing GOD?"

Exod.17.2

So they quarreled with Moses and said, "Give us water to drink." Moses replied, "Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you put the LORD to the test?"

Exod.17.2

Therefore the people contended with Moses, and said, "Give us water, that we may drink." So Moses said to them, "Why do you contend with me? Why do you tempt the LORD?"

Exod.17.2

So once more the people grumbled and complained to Moses. "Give us water to drink!" they demanded. "Quiet!" Moses replied. "Why are you arguing with me? And why are you testing the LORD?"

Exod.17.3

But the people were thirsty for water there. They complained to Moses, "Why did you take us from Egypt and drag us out here with our children and animals to die of thirst?"

Exod.17.3

But the people were thirsty for water there, and they grumbled against Moses. They said, "Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?"

Exod.17.3

And the people thirsted there for water, and the people complained against Moses, and said, "Why is it you have brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?"

Exod.17.3

But tormented by thirst, they continued to complain, "Why did you ever take us out of Egypt? Why did you bring us here? We, our children, and our livestock will all die!"

Exod.17.4

Moses cried out in prayer to GOD, "What can I do with these people? Any minute now they'll kill me!"

Exod.17.4

Then Moses cried out to the LORD, "What am I to do with these people? They are almost ready to stone me."

Exod.17.4

So Moses cried out to the LORD, saying, "What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me!"

Exod.17.4

Then Moses pleaded with the LORD, "What should I do with these people? They are about to stone me!"

Exod.17.5

GOD said to Moses, "Go on out ahead of the people, taking with you some of the elders of Israel. Take the staff you used to strike the Nile. And go.

Exod.17.5

The LORD answered Moses, "Walk on ahead of the people. Take with you some of the elders of Israel and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go.

Exod.17.5

And the LORD said to Moses, "Go on before the people, and take with you some of the elders of Israel. Also take in your hand your rod with which you struck the river, and go.

Exod.17.5

The LORD said to Moses, "Take your shepherd's staff, the one you used when you struck the water of the Nile. Then call some of the leaders of Israel and walk on ahead of the people.

Exod.17.6

I'm going to be present before you there on the rock at Horeb. You are to strike the rock. Water will gush out of it and the people will drink." Moses did what he said, with the elders of Israel right there watching.

Exod.17.6

I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink." So Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel.

Exod.17.6

Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock in Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink." And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.

Exod.17.6

I will meet you by the rock at Mount Sinai. Strike the rock, and water will come pouring out. Then the people will be able to drink." Moses did just as he was told; and as the leaders looked on, water gushed out.

Exod.17.7

He named the place Massah (Testing-Place) and Meribah (Quarreling) because of the quarreling of the Israelites and because of their testing of GOD when they said, "Is GOD here with us, or not?" [JC]

Exod.17.7

And he called the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites quarreled and because they tested the LORD saying, "Is the LORD among us or not?"

Exod.17.7

So he called the name of the place Massah and Meribah, because of the contention of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the LORD, saying, "Is the LORD among us or not?"

Exod.17.7

Moses named the place Massah--"the place of testing"--and Meribah--"the place of arguing"--because the people of Israel argued with Moses and tested the LORD by saying, "Is the LORD going to take care of us or not?"

Exod.17.8

Amalek came and fought Israel at Rephidim.

Exod.17.8

The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim.

Exod.17.8

Now Amalek came and fought with Israel in Rephidim.

Exod.17.8

While the people of Israel were still at Rephidim, the warriors of Amalek came to fight against them.

Exod.17.9

Moses ordered Joshua: "Select some men for us and go out and fight Amalek. Tomorrow I will take my stand on top of the hill holding God's staff."

Exod.17.9

Moses said to Joshua, "Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands."

Exod.17.9

And Moses said to Joshua, "Choose us some men and go out, fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand."

Exod.17.9

Moses commanded Joshua, "Call the Israelites to arms, and fight the army of Amalek. Tomorrow, I will stand at the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand."

Exod.17.10

Joshua did what Moses ordered in order to fight Amalek. And Moses, Aaron, and Hur went to the top of the hill.

Exod.17.10

So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill.

Exod.17.10

So Joshua did as Moses said to him, and fought with Amalek. And Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.

Exod.17.10

So Joshua did what Moses had commanded. He led his men out to fight the army of Amalek. Meanwhile Moses, Aaron, and Hur went to the top of a nearby hill.

Exod.17.11

It turned out that whenever Moses raised his hands, Israel was winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, Amalek was winning.

Exod.17.11

As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning.

Exod.17.11

And so it was, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.

Exod.17.11

As long as Moses held up the staff with his hands, the Israelites had the advantage. But whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites gained the upper hand.

Exod.17.12

But Moses' hands got tired. So they got a stone and set it under him. He sat on it and Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on each side. So his hands remained steady until the sun went down.

Exod.17.12

When Moses' hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up-one on one side, one on the other-so that his hands remained steady till sunset.

Exod.17.12

But Moses' hands became heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.

Exod.17.12

Moses' arms finally became too tired to hold up the staff any longer. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side, holding up his hands until sunset.

Exod.17.13

Joshua defeated Amalek and its army in battle.

Exod.17.13

So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.

Exod.17.13

So Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.

Exod.17.13

As a result, Joshua and his troops were able to crush the army of Amalek.

Exod.17.14

GOD said to Moses, "Write this up as a reminder to Joshua, to keep it before him, because I will most certainly wipe the very memory of Amalek off the face of the Earth."

Exod.17.14

Then the LORD said to Moses, "Write this on a scroll as something to be remembered and make sure that Joshua hears it, because I will completely blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven."

Exod.17.14

Then the LORD said to Moses, "Write this for a memorial in the book and recount it in the hearing of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven."

Exod.17.14

Then the LORD instructed Moses, "Write this down as a permanent record, and announce it to Joshua: I will blot out every trace of Amalek from under heaven."

Exod.17.15

Moses built an altar and named it "GOD My Banner."

Exod.17.15

Moses built an altar and called it The LORD is my Banner.

Exod.17.15

And Moses built an altar and called its name, The-LORD-Is-My-Banner;

Exod.17.15

Moses built an altar there and called it "The LORD Is My Banner."

Exod.17.16

He said, Salute GOD's rule! GOD at war with Amalek Always and forever! [JC]

Exod.17.16

He said, "For hands were lifted up to the throne of the LORD. The LORD will be at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation."

Exod.17.16

for he said, "Because the LORD has sworn: the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation."

Exod.17.16

He said, "They have dared to raise their fist against the LORD's throne, so now the LORD will be at war with Amalek generation after generation."

Exod.18.1

Jethro, priest of Midian and father--in-law to Moses, heard the report of all that God had done for Moses and Israel his people, the news that God had delivered Israel from Egypt.

Exod.18.1

Now Jethro, the priest of Midian and father-in-law of Moses, heard of everything God had done for Moses and for his people Israel, and how the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt.

Exod.18.1

And Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses' father-in-law, heard of all that God had done for Moses and for Israel His people--that the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt.

Exod.18.1

Word soon reached Jethro, the priest of Midian and Moses' father-in-law, about all the wonderful things God had done for Moses and his people, the Israelites. He had heard about how the LORD had brought them safely out of Egypt.

Exod.18.2

Jethro, Moses' father--in-law, had taken in Zipporah, Moses' wife who had been sent back home,

Exod.18.2

After Moses had sent away his wife Zipporah, his father-in-law Jethro received her

Exod.18.2

Then Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, took Zipporah, Moses' wife, after he had sent her back,

Exod.18.2

Some time before this, Moses had sent his wife, Zipporah, and his two sons to live with Jethro, his father-in-law.

Exod.18.3

and her two sons. The name of the one was Gershom (Sojourner) for he had said, "I'm a sojourner in a foreign land";

Exod.18.3

and her two sons. One son was named Gershom, for Moses said, "I have become an alien in a foreign land";

Exod.18.3

with her two sons, of whom the name of one was Gershom (for he said, "I have been a stranger in a foreign land")

Exod.18.3

The name of Moses' first son was Gershom, for Moses had said when the boy was born, "I have been a stranger in a foreign land."

Exod.18.4

the name of the other was Eliezer (God's-Help) because "The God of my father is my help and saved me from death by Pharaoh."

Exod.18.4

and the other was named Eliezer, for he said, "My father's God was my helper; he saved me from the sword of Pharaoh."

Exod.18.4

and the name of the other was Eliezer (for he said, "The God of my father was my help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh");

Exod.18.4

The name of his second son was Eliezer, for Moses had said at his birth, "The God of my fathers was my helper; he delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh."

Exod.18.5

Jethro, Moses' father--in-law, brought Moses his sons and his wife there in the wilderness where he was camped at the mountain of God.

Exod.18.5

Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, together with Moses' sons and wife, came to him in the desert, where he was camped near the mountain of God.

Exod.18.5

and Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, came with his sons and his wife to Moses in the wilderness, where he was encamped at the mountain of God.

Exod.18.5

Jethro now came to visit Moses, and he brought Moses' wife and two sons with him. They arrived while Moses and the people were camped near the mountain of God.

Exod.18.6

He had sent a message ahead to Moses: "I, your father--in-law, am coming to you with your wife and two sons."

Exod.18.6

Jethro had sent word to him, "I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you with your wife and her two sons."

Exod.18.6

Now he had said to Moses, "I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you with your wife and her two sons with her."

Exod.18.6

Moses was told, "Jethro, your father-in-law, has come to visit you. Your wife and your two sons are with him."

Exod.18.7

Moses went out to welcome his father--in-law. He bowed to him and kissed him. Each asked the other how things had been with him. Then they went into the tent.

Exod.18.7

So Moses went out to meet his father-in-law and bowed down and kissed him. They greeted each other and then went into the tent.

Exod.18.7

So Moses went out to meet his father-in-law, bowed down, and kissed him. And they asked each other about their well-being, and they went into the tent.

Exod.18.7

So Moses went out to meet his father-in-law. He bowed to him respectfully and greeted him warmly. They asked about each other's health and then went to Moses' tent to talk further.

Exod.18.8

Moses told his father--in-law the story of all that GOD had done to Pharaoh and Egypt in helping Israel, all the trouble they had experienced on the journey, and how GOD had delivered them.

Exod.18.8

Moses told his father-in-law about everything the LORD had done to Pharaoh and the Egyptians for Israel's sake and about all the hardships they had met along the way and how the LORD had saved them.

Exod.18.8

And Moses told his father-in-law all that the LORD had done to Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel's sake, all the hardship that had come upon them on the way, and how the LORD had delivered them.

Exod.18.8

Moses told his father-in-law about everything the LORD had done to rescue Israel from Pharaoh and the Egyptians. He also told him about the problems they had faced along the way and how the LORD had delivered his people from all their troubles.

Exod.18.9

Jethro was delighted in all the good that GOD had done for Israel in delivering them from Egyptian oppression.

Exod.18.9

Jethro was delighted to hear about all the good things the LORD had done for Israel in rescuing them from the hand of the Egyptians.

Exod.18.9

Then Jethro rejoiced for all the good which the LORD had done for Israel, whom He had delivered out of the hand of the Egyptians.

Exod.18.9

Jethro was delighted when he heard about all that the LORD had done for Israel as he brought them out of Egypt.

Exod.18.10

Jethro said, "Blessed be GOD who has delivered you from the power of Egypt and Pharaoh, who has delivered his people from the oppression of Egypt.

Exod.18.10

He said, "Praise be to the LORD, who rescued you from the hand of the Egyptians and of Pharaoh, and who rescued the people from the hand of the Egyptians.

Exod.18.10

And Jethro said, "Blessed be the LORD, who has delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians and out of the hand of Pharaoh, and who has delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians.

Exod.18.10

"Praise be to the LORD," Jethro said, "for he has saved you from the Egyptians and from Pharaoh. He has rescued Israel from the power of Egypt!

Exod.18.11

Now I know that GOD is greater than all gods because he's done this to all those who treated Israel arrogantly."

Exod.18.11

Now I know that the LORD is greater than all other gods, for he did this to those who had treated Israel arrogantly."

Exod.18.11

Now I know that the LORD is greater than all the gods; for in the very thing in which they behaved proudly, He was above them."

Exod.18.11

I know now that the LORD is greater than all other gods, because his people have escaped from the proud and cruel Egyptians."

Exod.18.12

Jethro, Moses' father--in-law, brought a Whole-Burnt-Offering and sacrifices to God. And Aaron, along with all the elders of Israel, came and ate the meal with Moses' father--in-law in the presence of God.

Exod.18.12

Then Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and other sacrifices to God, and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat bread with Moses' father-in-law in the presence of God.

Exod.18.12

Then Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, took a burnt offering and other sacrifices to offer to God. And Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat bread with Moses' father-in-law before God.

Exod.18.12

Then Jethro presented a burnt offering and gave sacrifices to God. As Jethro was doing this, Aaron and the leaders of Israel came out to meet him. They all joined him in a sacrificial meal in God's presence.

Exod.18.13

The next day Moses took his place to judge the people. People were standing before him all day long, from morning to night.

Exod.18.13

The next day Moses took his seat to serve as judge for the people, and they stood around him from morning till evening.

Exod.18.13

And so it was, on the next day, that Moses sat to judge the people; and the people stood before Moses from morning until evening.

Exod.18.13

The next day, Moses sat as usual to hear the people's complaints against each other. They were lined up in front of him from morning till evening.

Exod.18.14

When Moses' father--in-law saw all that he was doing for the people, he said, "What's going on here? Why are you doing all this, and all by yourself, letting everybody line up before you from morning to night?"

Exod.18.14

When his father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he said, "What is this you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit as judge, while all these people stand around you from morning till evening?"

Exod.18.14

So when Moses' father-in-law saw all that he did for the people, he said, "What is this thing that you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit, and all the people stand before you from morning until evening?"

Exod.18.14

When Moses' father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he said, "Why are you trying to do all this alone? The people have been standing here all day to get your help."

Exod.18.15

Moses said to his father--in-law, "Because the people come to me with questions about God.

Exod.18.15

Moses answered him, "Because the people come to me to seek God's will.

Exod.18.15

And Moses said to his father-in-law, "Because the people come to me to inquire of God.

Exod.18.15

Moses replied, "Well, the people come to me to seek God's guidance.

Exod.18.16

When something comes up, they come to me. I judge between a man and his neighbor and teach them God's laws and instructions."

Exod.18.16

Whenever they have a dispute, it is brought to me, and I decide between the parties and inform them of God's decrees and laws."

Exod.18.16

When they have a difficulty, they come to me, and I judge between one and another; and I make known the statutes of God and His laws."

Exod.18.16

When an argument arises, I am the one who settles the case. I inform the people of God's decisions and teach them his laws and instructions."

Exod.18.17

Moses' father--in-law said, "This is no way to go about it.

Exod.18.17

Moses' father-in-law replied, "What you are doing is not good.

Exod.18.17

So Moses' father-in-law said to him, "The thing that you do is not good.

Exod.18.17

"This is not good!" his father-in-law exclaimed.

Exod.18.18

You'll burn out, and the people right along with you. This is way too much for you--you can't do this alone.

Exod.18.18

You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone.

Exod.18.18

Both you and these people who are with you will surely wear yourselves out. For this thing is too much for you; you are not able to perform it by yourself.

Exod.18.18

"You're going to wear yourself out--and the people, too. This job is too heavy a burden for you to handle all by yourself.

Exod.18.19

Now listen to me. Let me tell you how to do this so that God will be in this with you. Be there for the people before God, but let the matters of concern be presented to God.

Exod.18.19

Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people's representative before God and bring their disputes to him.

Exod.18.19

Listen now to my voice; I will give you counsel, and God will be with you: Stand before God for the people, so that you may bring the difficulties to God.

Exod.18.19

Now let me give you a word of advice, and may God be with you. You should continue to be the people's representative before God, bringing him their questions to be decided.

Exod.18.20

Your job is to teach them the rules and instructions, to show them how to live, what to do.

Exod.18.20

Teach them the decrees and laws, and show them the way to live and the duties they are to perform.

Exod.18.20

And you shall teach them the statutes and the laws, and show them the way in which they must walk and the work they must do.

Exod.18.20

You should tell them God's decisions, teach them God's laws and instructions, and show them how to conduct their lives.

Exod.18.21

And then you need to keep a sharp eye out for competent men--men who fear God, men of integrity, men who are incorruptible--and appoint them as leaders over groups organized by the thousand, by the hundred, by fifty, and by ten.

Exod.18.21

But select capable men from all the people-men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain-and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.

Exod.18.21

Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.

Exod.18.21

But find some capable, honest men who fear God and hate bribes. Appoint them as judges over groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten.

Exod.18.22

They'll be responsible for the everyday work of judging among the people. They'll bring the hard cases to you, but in the routine cases they'll be the judges. They will share your load and that will make it easier for you.

Exod.18.22

Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you.

Exod.18.22

And let them judge the people at all times. Then it will be that every great matter they shall bring to you, but every small matter they themselves shall judge. So it will be easier for you, for they will bear the burden with you.

Exod.18.22

These men can serve the people, resolving all the ordinary cases. Anything that is too important or too complicated can be brought to you. But they can take care of the smaller matters themselves. They will help you carry the load, making the task easier for you.

Exod.18.23

If you handle the work this way, you'll have the strength to carry out whatever God commands you, and the people in their settings will flourish also."

Exod.18.23

If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied."

Exod.18.23

If you do this thing, and God so commands you, then you will be able to endure, and all this people will also go to their place in peace."

Exod.18.23

If you follow this advice, and if God directs you to do so, then you will be able to endure the pressures, and all these people will go home in peace."

Exod.18.24

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

Exod.18.24

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

Exod.18.24

So Moses heeded the voice of his father-in-law and did all that he had said.

Exod.18.24

Moses listened to his father-in-law's advice and followed his suggestions.

Exod.18.25

Moses picked competent men from all Israel and set them as leaders over the people who were organized by the thousand, by the hundred, by fifty, and by ten.

Exod.18.25

He chose capable men from all Israel and made them leaders of the people, officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.

Exod.18.25

And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people: rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.

Exod.18.25

He chose capable men from all over Israel and made them judges over the people. They were put in charge of groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten.

Exod.18.26

They took over the everyday work of judging among the people. They brought the hard cases to Moses, but in the routine cases they were the judges.

Exod.18.26

They served as judges for the people at all times. The difficult cases they brought to Moses, but the simple ones they decided themselves.

Exod.18.26

So they judged the people at all times; the hard cases they brought to Moses, but they judged every small case themselves.

Exod.18.26

These men were constantly available to administer justice. They brought the hard cases to Moses, but they judged the smaller matters themselves.

Exod.18.27

Then Moses said good-bye to his father--in-law who went home to his own country.

Exod.18.27

Then Moses sent his father-in-law on his way, and Jethro returned to his own country.

Exod.18.27

Then Moses let his father-in-law depart, and he went his way to his own land.

Exod.18.27

Soon after this, Moses said good-bye to his father-in-law, who returned to his own land.