So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said,“ We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program.

十二使徒叫众门徒来，对他们说：“我们撇下神的道去管理饭食，原是不合宜的。

十二使徒叫众门徒来，说：“我们撇下上帝的道去管理饭食，是不合宜的。

十二使徒叫众门徒来，说：“我们撇下神的道去管理饭食，是不合宜的。

于是，十二使徒召集所有的门徒，对他们说：“我们不应该忽略传上帝的道，去管理膳食。

于是十二使徒召集了众门徒，说：“要我们放下神的道，去管理伙食，是不合适的。

于是十二使徒召来全体门徒，说：“我们撇下神的话语，去管理饭食，是不妥当的。

十二使徒叫眾門徒來，對他們說：「我們撇下神的道去管理飯食，原是不合宜的。

十二使徒叫眾門徒來，說：「我們撇下上帝的道去管理飯食，是不合宜的。

十二使徒叫眾門徒來，說：「我們撇下神的道去管理飯食，是不合宜的。

於是，十二使徒召集所有的門徒，對他們說：「我們不應該忽略傳上帝的道，去管理膳食。

於是十二使徒召集了眾門徒，說：“要我們放下神的道，去管理伙食，是不合適的。

十二個人就把那一羣門徒叫來，說：『我們撇下上帝之道，而在飯席上作服事的工，並不是令人愜意的事。

於是十二使徒召來全體門徒，說：「我們撇下神的話語，去管理飯食，是不妥當的。

十二徒召眾門徒曰、我儕遺上帝道、而几筵是役、非宜也、

十二使徒、呼眾門徒、曰、我儕不傳上帝道、而几筵是司、非所宜也、

十二使徒告眾門徒曰、我儕不傳天主道、而司几席非所宜也、

十二宗徒因召同人至、曰：『為几筵之事而曠傳道之職、非所宜也。

So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said,“ It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.

So the 12 apostles gathered all the believers together. They said,“ It wouldn’t be right for us to give up teaching God’s word. And we’d have to stop teaching to wait on tables.

And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said,“ It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables.

The Twelve summoned the whole company of the disciples and said,“ It would not be right for us to give up preaching the word of God to wait on tables.

So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said,“ It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables.

Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said,“ It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables.

And the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not fit that we should forsake the word of God, and serve tables.

Then the Twelve summoned the whole company of the disciples and said,“ It would not be right for us to give up preaching about God to handle financial matters.

Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples[ unto them], and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.

So the twelve called the whole group of the disciples together and said,“ It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to wait on tables.

The twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said,“ It is not appropriate for us to forsake the word of God and serve tables.

“ This is not good!” Moses’ father in law exclaimed.“ 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.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.Teach them God’s decrees, and give them his instructions. Show them how to conduct their lives.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.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.If you follow this advice, and if God commands you to do so, then you will be able to endure the pressures, and all these people will go home in peace.”Moses listened to his father in law’s advice and followed his suggestions.He chose capable men from all over Israel and appointed them as leaders over the people. He put them in charge of groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten.These men were always available to solve the people’s common disputes. They brought the major cases to Moses, but they took care of the smaller matters themselves.

Moses continued,“ At that time I told you,‘ You are too great a burden for me to carry all by myself.The Lord your God has increased your population, making you as numerous as the stars!And may the Lord, the God of your ancestors, multiply you a thousand times more and bless you as he promised!But you are such a heavy load to carry! How can I deal with all your problems and bickering?Choose some well respected men from each tribe who are known for their wisdom and understanding, and I will appoint them as your leaders.’“ Then you responded,‘ Your plan is a good one.’

Soldiers don’t get tied up in the affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them.

And Moses said to the Lord,“ Why are you treating me, your servant, so harshly? Have mercy on me! What did I do to deserve the burden of all these people?Did I give birth to them? Did I bring them into the world? Why did you tell me to carry them in my arms like a mother carries a nursing baby? How can I carry them to the land you swore to give their ancestors?Where am I supposed to get meat for all these people? They keep whining to me, saying,‘ Give us meat to eat!’

so I replied by sending this message to them:“ I am engaged in a great work, so I can’t come. Why should I stop working to come and meet with you?”

For it makes no sense to send a prisoner to the emperor without specifying the charges against him!”

What should we do? They will certainly hear that you have come.

But Peter and John replied,“ Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him?