"If some men are fighting and hurt a pregnant woman so that she loses her child, but she is not injured in any other way, the one who hurt her is to be fined whatever amount the woman's husband demands, subject to the approval of the judges.

"On that night I will go through the land of Egypt, killing every first-born male, both human and animal, and punishing all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD.

But in addition, you should choose some capable men and appoint them as leaders of the people: leaders of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. They must be God-fearing men who can be trusted and who cannot be bribed.

If you do this, as God commands, you will not wear yourself out, and all these people can go home with their disputes settled."

and chose capable men from among all the Israelites. He appointed them as leaders of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens.

But if the thief is not found, the one who was keeping the valuables is to be brought to the place of worship and there he must take an oath that he has not stolen the other one's property.

"In every case of a dispute about property, whether it involves cattle, donkeys, sheep, clothing, or any other lost object, the two people claiming the property shall be taken to the place of worship. The one whom God declares to be guilty shall pay double to the other one.

"Do not speak evil of God, and do not curse a leader of your people.

Moses said to the officials, "Each of you is to kill every man in your tribe who has become a worshiper of Baal of Peor."

When Phinehas, the son of Eleazar and grandson of Aaron the priest, saw this, he got up and left the assembly. He took a spear,

"At that time I instructed them, 'Listen to the disputes that come up among your people. Judge every dispute fairly, whether it concerns only your own people or involves foreigners who live among you.

"Appoint judges and other officials in every town that the LORD your God gives you. These men are to judge the people impartially.

both of you are to go to the one place of worship and be judged by the priests and judges who are then in office.

The judges will investigate the case thoroughly; and if you have made a false accusation,

When Samuel grew old, he made his sons judges in Israel.

The older son was named Joel and the younger one Abijah; they were judges in Beersheba.

I will give you rulers and advisers like those you had long ago. Then Jerusalem will be called the righteous, faithful city."

Its officials are like roaring lions; its judges are like hungry wolves, too greedy to leave a bone until morning.

You do not want sacrifices and offerings; you do not ask for animals burned whole on the altar or for sacrifices to take away sins. Instead, you have given me ears to hear you,

How I love to do your will, my God! I keep your teaching in my heart."

Your land must not be sold on a permanent basis, because you do not own it; it belongs to God, and you are like foreigners who are allowed to make use of it.

They shall stay with you as hired workers and serve you until the next Year of Restoration.

Then take him to the door of your house and there pierce his ear; he will then be your slave for life. Treat your female slave in the same way.

But this time Hannah did not go. She told her husband, "As soon as the child is weaned, I will take him to the house of the LORD, where he will stay all his life."

But Achish trusted David and said to himself, "He is hated so much by his own people the Israelites that he will have to serve me all his life."

"Of course," David answered. "I am your servant, and you will see for yourself what I can do." Achish said, "Good! I will make you my permanent bodyguard."

They replied, "If you want to serve this people well, give a favorable answer to their request, and they will always serve you loyally."