Exodus 1:7-20

7but the IsraelitesH1121H3478 were fruitfulH6509 and increased rapidlyH8317; they multipliedH7235 and became exceedinglyH3966 numerousH6105, so that the landH776H854 was filled with themH4390.

8Then a newH2319 kingH4428, whoH834 did notH3808 knowH3045 JosephH3130, came to powerH6965 inH5921 EgyptH4714. 9“LookH2009,” he saidH559 toH413 his peopleH5971, “the IsraelitesH1121H3478H5971 have become too numerousH7227 and too powerfulH6099 for usH4480. 10ComeH3051, let us deal shrewdlyH2449 with them, orH6435 they will increase even moreH7235; and ifH1961H3588 a warH4421 breaks outH7122, theyH1931H5921 may joinH3254H1571 our enemiesH8130, fightH3898 against us, and leaveH5927H4480 the countryH776.1”

11So the Egyptians appointedH7760 taskmastersH8269H4522 overH5921 the Israelites toH4616 oppress themH6031 with forced laborH5450. As a result, they builtH1129 PithomH6619 and RamesesH7486 as storeH4543 citiesH5892 for PharaohH6547. 12But the more they were oppressedH6031, the more they multipliedH7235H3651 and flourishedH6555; so the Egyptians came to dreadH6973H6440 the IsraelitesH1121H3478.

13They workedH5647H4713 the IsraelitesH1121H3478 ruthlesslyH6531 14and made their livesH2416 bitterH4843 with hardH7186 laborH5656 in brickH3843 and mortarH2563, and with all kindsH3605 of workH5656 in the fieldsH7704. EveryH3605 serviceH5656 they imposedH5647 was harshH6531.

15Then the kingH4428 of EgyptH4714 saidH559 to the HebrewH5680 midwivesH3205, whoseH259H834 names wereH8034 ShiphrahH8236H8034 andH8145 PuahH6326, 16“When you help the HebrewH5680 women give birthH3205, observeH7200 them onH5921 the birthstoolsH70. IfH518 the child is a sonH1121, killH4191 himH853; but ifH518 it isH1931 a daughterH1323, let her liveH2421.”

17The midwives, howeverH3205, fearedH3372 GodH430 and did notH3808 doH6213 asH834 the kingH4428 of EgyptH4714 had instructedH1696H413; they let the boysH3206 liveH2421. 18So the kingH4428 of EgyptH4714 summonedH7121 the midwivesH3205 and askedH559 them, “WhyH4069 have you doneH6213H1697 thisH2088? Why have you let the boysH3206 liveH2421?”

19The midwivesH3205 answeredH559H413 PharaohH6547, “The Hebrew womenH5680H3588 are notH3808 like the EgyptianH4713 womenH802, forH3588 theyH2007 are vigorousH2422 and give birthH3205 beforeH2962 a midwifeH3205 arrivesH935H413.”

20So GodH430 was goodH3190 to the midwivesH3205, and the peopleH5971 multipliedH7235 and became even moreH3966 numerousH6105.