Exodus 1
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New English Translation

Exodus 1:16-22

16“When you assist the Hebrew women in childbirth, observe at the delivery: If it is a son, kill him, but if it is a daughter, she may live.”

17But the midwives feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them; they let the boys live.

18Then the king of Egypt summoned the midwives and said to them, “Why have you done this and let the boys live?”

19The midwives said to Pharaoh, “Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women – for the Hebrew women are vigorous; they give birth before the midwife gets to them!”

20So God treated the midwives well, and the people multiplied and became very strong.

21And because the midwives feared God, he made households for them.

22Then Pharaoh commanded all his people, “All sons that are born you must throw into the river, but all daughters you may let live.”

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Commentaries on Exodus 1

New English Translation — © 1996-2016 Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C.