Exodus 1

1 These are the names of the sons of Israel that came into Egypt together with Jacob their father; they came in each with their whole family.

These are the names of the children of Israel, that went into Egypt with Jacob: they went in, every man with his household:

2 Ruben, Simeon, Levi, Judas,

Ruben, Simeon, Levi, Juda,

3 Issachar, Zabulon, Benjamin,

Issachar, Zabulon, and Benjamin,

4 Dan and Nephthalim, Gad and Aser.

Dan, and Nephtali, Gad and Aser.

5 But Joseph was in Egypt. And all the souls [born] of Jacob were seventy-five.

And all the souls that came out of Jacob’s thigh, were seventy: but Joseph was in Egypt.

6 And Joseph died, and all his brethren, and all that generation.

After he was dead, and all his brethren, and all that generation,

7 And the children of Israel increased and multiplied, and became numerous and grew exceedingly strong, and the land multiplied them.

The children of Israel increased, and sprung up into multitudes, and growing exceedingly strong they filled the land.

8 And there arose up another king over Egypt, who knew not Joseph.

In the mean time there arose a new king over Egypt, that knew not Joseph:

9 And he said to his nation, Behold, the race of the children of Israel is a great multitude, and is stronger than we:

And he said to his people: Behold the people of the children of Israel are numerous and stronger than we.

10 come then, let us deal craftily with them, lest at any time they be increased, and whenever war shall happen to us, these also shall be added to our enemies, and having prevailed against us in war, they will depart out of the land.

Come, let us wisely oppress them, lest they multiply: and if any war shall rise against us, join with our enemies, and having overcome us, depart out of the land.

11 And he set over them taskmasters, who should afflict them in their works; and they built strong cities for Pharao, both Pitho, and Ramesses, and On, which is Heliopolis.

Therefore he set over them masters of the works, to afflict them with burdens, and they built for Pharao cities of tabernacles, Phithom and Ramesses.

12 But as they humbled them, by so much they multiplied, and grew exceedingly strong; and the Egyptians greatly abhorred the children of Israel.

But the more they oppressed them, the more they were multiplied, and increased:

13 And the Egyptians tyrannized over the children of Israel by force.

And the Egyptians hated the children of Israel, and afflicted them and mocked them:

14 And they embittered their life by hard labours, in the clay and in brick-making, and all the works in the plains, according to all the works, wherein they caused them to serve with violence.

And they made their life bitter with hard works in clay, and brick, and with all manner of service, wherewith they were overcharged in the works of the earth.

15 And the king of the Egyptians spoke to the midwives of the Hebrews; the name of the one was, Sepphora; and the name of the second, Phua.

And the king of Egypt spoke to the midwives of the Hebrews: of whom one was called Sephora, the other Phua,

16 And he said, When you do the office of midwives to the Hebrew women, and they are about to be delivered, if it be a male, kill it; but if a female, save it.

Commanding them: When you shall do the office of midwives to the Hebrew women, and the time of delivery is come: if it be a man child, kill it: if a woman, keep it alive.

17 But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt appointed them; and they saved the male children alive.

But the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt had commanded, but saved the men children.

18 And the king of Egypt called the midwives, and said to them, Why is it that you have done this thing, and saved the male children alive?

And the king called for them and said: What is that you meant to do, that you would save the men children?

19 And the midwives said to Pharao, The Hebrew women are not as the women of Egypt, for they are delivered before the midwives go in to them. So they bore children.

They answered: The Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women: for they themselves are skillful in the office of a midwife; and they are delivered before we come to them.

20 And God did well to the midwives, and the people multiplied, and grew very strong.

Therefore God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied and grew exceedingly strong.

21 And as the midwives feared God, they established for themselves families.

And because the midwives feared God, he built them houses.

22 And Pharao charged all his people, saying, Whatever male [child] shall be born to the Hebrews, cast into the river; and every female, save it alive.

Pharao therefore charged all his people, saying: Whatsoever shall be born of the male sex, ye shall cast into the river: whatsoever of the female, ye shall save alive.