Deuteronomy 1:16Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Avoid creating divisions; instead, promote harmony among those in conflict. Exercise fair judgment. When revealing faults, do not be swayed by appearances. Remain steadfast in your belief that things will come to pass.

After appointing the selected judges, Moses guided them on how to fulfill their responsibilities. They were to pay close attention to those who appeared before them; their role was to act as fair and unbiased arbiters between the parties involved, whether a Hebrew was bringing a case against his fellow countryman, or against a foreigner residing among the Israelites who had not undergone circumcision.