EXODUS 1

Now these are the names of the sons of Israel who came into Egypt with Jacob; every man came with his household. 2 Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, 3 Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin, 4 Dan and Naphtali, Gad and Asher. 5 And all the persons who came out of the thighs of Jacob were seventy persons; and Joseph was in Egypt. 6 And Joseph died, and all his brothers, and all that generation. 7 And the sons of Israel were fruitful, and increased greatly, and multiplied, and became very numerous; and the land was filled with them.

8 Then a new king arose over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. 9 And he said to his people, See how the people of the sons of Israel are many, and more numerous than us. 10 Come, let us deal prudently with them, or else they will multiply, and if war breaks out they will join with our enemies and fight against us, and go out of the land. 11 So they set taskmasters over them to oppress them with their labours. And they built for Pharaoh the store cities of Pithom and Raamses. 12 But as much as they oppressed them, so they multiplied and spread around; and they were sick with fear because of the Sons of Israel. 13 And the Egyptians made the suns of Israel serve rigorously, 14 and made their lives bitter with hard service, in clay and bricks, and in all kinds of work in the fields; all the work which they made them undertake was forced labour.

15 Then the king of Egypt spoke to the midwives of the Hebrew women, one of whom was named Shiphrah and the other Puah. 16 And he said, When you act as midwives to the Hebrew women, and see them on the birthstools, then if it is a son, you shall kill him; but if it is a daughter she shall live. 17 But the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the boys. 18 So the king of Egypt summoned the midwives, and said to them, Why have you acted like this, and saved the boys? 19 And the midwives said to Pharaoh, It is because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women, for they are full of life; before the midwife can reach them, they have given birth. 20 So God dealt well with the midwives; and the people multiplied and became very numerous. 21 And because the midwives feared God, he gave them* families. 22 And Pharaoh commanded all his people, and said, Every son who is born you shall throw into the river, but every daughter you shall save. * That is the Hebrew people