Exodus 18:20

New Living Translation

Teach them God's decrees, and give them his instructions. Show them how to conduct their lives.

Parallel Translations

Hebrew Names Version
You shall teach them the statutes and the laws, and shall show them the way in which they must walk, and the work that they must do.

King James Version
And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do.

Lexham English Bible
And you warn them of the rules and the instructions, and you make known to them the way in which they must walk and the work that they must do.

New Century Version
Warn them about the laws and teachings, and teach them the right way to live and what they should do.

New English Translation
warn them of the statutes and the laws, and make known to them the way in which they must walk and the work they must do.

Amplified Bible
"You shall teach them the decrees and laws. You shall show them the way they are to live and the work they are to do.

New American Standard Bible
then admonish them about the statutes and the laws, and make known to them the way in which they are to walk and the work they are to do.

Geneva Bible (1587)
And admonish them of the ordinances, & of the lawes, & shew them the way, wherein they must walke, and the worke that they must do.

Legacy Standard Bible
then warn them about the statutes and the laws, and make known to them the way in which they shall go and the work they shall do.

Contemporary English Version
and you should teach them God's laws and show them what they must do to live right.

Complete Jewish Bible
You should also teach them the laws and the teachings, and show them how to live their lives and what work they should do.

Darby Translation
and teach them the statutes and the laws, and make known to them the way in which they must walk, and the work that they must do.

Easy-to-Read Version
You should explain God's laws and teachings to the people. Warn them not to break the laws. Tell them the right way to live and what they should do.

English Standard Version
and you shall warn them about the statutes and the laws, and make them know the way in which they must walk and what they must do.

George Lamsa Translation
And you shall warn them to keep the ordinances and laws that you may show them how to conduct themselves and the works that they must do.

Good News Translation
You should teach them God's commands and explain to them how they should live and what they should do.

Christian Standard Bible®
Instruct them about the statutes and laws, and teach them the way to live and what they must do.

Literal Translation
And you warn them as to the statutes and the laws, and make known to them the way in which they should walk, and the work which they should do.

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
and prouide them with statutes and lawes, that thou mayest shewe the the waie wherin they shulde walke, and the workes that they shulde do.

American Standard Version
and thou shalt teach them the statutes and the laws, and shalt show them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do.

Bible in Basic English
Teaching them his rules and his laws, guiding them in the way they have to go, and making clear to them the work they have to do.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
And thou shalt teache them ordinaunces and lawes, and shew them the way wherein they must walke, & the worke that they must do.

JPS Old Testament (1917)
And thou shalt teach them the statutes and the laws, and shalt show them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do.

King James Version (1611)
And thou shalt teach them ordinances and lawes, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walke, and the worke that they must doe.

Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And thou shalt testify to them the ordinances of God and his law, and thou shalt shew to them the ways in which they shall walk, and the works which they shall do.

English Revised Version
and thou shalt teach them the statutes and the laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do.

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

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
and schewe to the puple the cerymonyes, and custom of worschipyng, and the weie bi which `thei owen to go, and the werk which `thei owen to do.

Young's Literal Translation
and thou hast warned them [concerning] the statutes and the laws, and hast made known to them the way in which they go, and the work which they do.

Update Bible Version
and you shall teach them the statutes and the laws, and shall show them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do.

Webster's Bible Translation
And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt show them the way in which they must walk, and the work that they must do.

World English Bible
You shall teach them the statutes and the laws, and shall show them the way in which they must walk, and the work that they must do.

New King James Version
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.

New Life Bible
Then teach them the Laws. Make them know the way they must walk and the work they must do.

New Revised Standard
teach them the statutes and instructions and make known to them the way they are to go and the things they are to do.

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
and shalt cause to shine upon them, the statutes and the laws, - and make known to them the way wherein they should go, and the work they should do.

Douay-Rheims Bible
And to shew the people the ceremonies, and the manner of worshipping; and the way wherein they ought to walk, and the work that they ought to do.

Revised Standard Version
and you shall teach them the statutes and the decisions, and make them know the way in which they must walk and what they must do.

New American Standard Bible (1995)
then teach them the statutes and the laws, and make known to them the way in which they are to walk and the work they are to do.

Contextual Overview

¹³ The next day, Moses took his seat to hear the people's disputes against each other. They waited before him from morning till evening. ¹⁴ When Moses' father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he asked, "What are you really accomplishing here? Why are you trying to do all this alone while everyone stands around you from morning till evening?" ¹⁵ Moses replied, "Because the people come to me to get a ruling from God. ¹⁶ When a dispute arises, they come to me, and I am the one who settles the case between the quarreling parties. I inform the people of God's decrees and give them his instructions." ¹⁷ "This is not good!" Moses' father-in-law exclaimed. 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. ¹⁹ Now listen to me, and 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 their disputes to him. ²⁰ Teach them God's decrees, and give them his instructions. Show them how to conduct their lives. ²¹ But select from all the people some capable, honest men who fear God and hate bribes. Appoint them as leaders over groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten. ²² They should always be available to solve the people's common disputes, but have them bring the major cases to you. Let the leaders decide the smaller matters themselves. They will help you carry the load, making the task easier for you.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

teach: Exodus 18:16, Deuteronomy 4:1, Deuteronomy 4:5, Deuteronomy 5:1, Deuteronomy 6:1, Deuteronomy 6:2, Deuteronomy 7:11, Nehemiah 9:13, Nehemiah 9:14

the way: 1 Samuel 12:23, Psalms 32:8, Psalms 143:8, Isaiah 30:21, Jeremiah 6:16, Jeremiah 42:3, Micah 4:2, 1 Thessalonians 4:1

work: Deuteronomy 1:18, Ezekiel 3:17, Matthew 28:20, Mark 13:34, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-12

Reciprocal: Genesis 24:48 - led me Exodus 18:15 - to inquire Deuteronomy 8:6 - walk Matthew 23:3 - whatsoever

Cross-References

Genesis 4:10
But the Lord said, "What have you done? Listen! Your brother's blood cries out to me from the ground!

Genesis 13:13
But the people of this area were extremely wicked and constantly sinned against the Lord .

Genesis 19:13
For we are about to destroy this city completely. The outcry against this place is so great it has reached the Lord , and he has sent us to destroy it."

Isaiah 3:9
The very look on their faces gives them away. They display their sin like the people of Sodom and don't even try to hide it. They are doomed! They have brought destruction upon themselves.

Isaiah 5:7
The nation of Israel is the vineyard of the Lord of Heaven's Armies. The people of Judah are his pleasant garden. He expected a crop of justice, but instead he found oppression. He expected to find righteousness, but instead he heard cries of violence.

Jeremiah 14:7
The people say, "Our wickedness has caught up with us, Lord , but help us for the sake of your own reputation. We have turned away from you and sinned against you again and again.

James 5:4
For listen! Hear the cries of the field workers whom you have cheated of their pay. The cries of those who harvest your fields have reached the ears of the Lord of Heaven's Armies.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws,.... Both with respect to things civil and religious, which he should receive from God:

and shalt show them the way wherein they must walk; the path of faith and duty, the way of truth, holiness, and righteousness:

and the work that they must do; both with respect to God, and one another, the various duties and exercises of religion, everything relating to their moral, religious, and civil conduct.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Teach them - The Hebrew word is emphatic, and signifies “enlightenment.” The text gives four distinct points:

(a) the “ordinances,” or specific enactments,

(b) “the laws,” or general regulations,

(c) “the way,” the general course of duty,

(d) “the works,” each specific act.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Exodus 18:20. Thou shalt teach them ordinances — חקים chukkim, all such precepts as relate to the ceremonies of religion and political economy. And laws, התורת hattoroth, the instructions relative to the whole system of morality.

And shalt show them the way — אה הדרך eth hadderech, THAT very WAY, that only way, which God himself has revealed, and in which they should walk in order to please him, and get their souls everlastingly saved.

And the work that they must do. — For it was not sufficient that they should know their duty both to God and man, but they must DO it too; יעשון yaasun, they must do it diligently, fervently, effectually; for the paragogic nun deepens and extends the meaning of the verb.

What a very comprehensive form of a preacher's duty does this verse exhibit!

1. He must instruct the people in the nature, use, and importance of the ordinances of religion.

2. He must lay before them the whole moral law, and their obligations to fulfill all its precepts.

3. He must point out to each his particular duty, and what is expected of him in his situation, connections, c. And,

4. He must set them all their work, and see that they do it.

On such a plan as this he will have full opportunity to show the people,

1. Their sin, ignorance, and folly

2. The pure and holy law which they have broken, and by which they are condemned;

3. The grace of God that bringeth salvation, by which they are to be justified and finally saved; and,

4. The necessity of showing their faith by their works; not only denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, but living soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world, looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour, Jesus Christ.