Exodus 1

1 Now these are the names of the children of Israel, which came into Egypt (euery man and his housholde came thither with Iaakob)

These are the names of the sons of Israel who came into Egypt with Jacob, each with his household:

2 Reuben, Simeon, Leui, and Iudah,

Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah,

3 Issachar, Zebulun, and Beniamin,

Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin,

4 Dan, and Naphtali, Gad, and Asher.

Dan, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher.

5 So al the soules, that came out of the loines of Iaakob, were seuentie soules: Ioseph was in Egypt already.

All the people who were descendants of Jacob were seventy in number. Joseph was already in Egypt.

6 Nowe Ioseph died and all his brethren, and that whole generation.

Then Joseph, all his brothers, and all that generation died.

7 And the children of Israel brought foorth fruite and encreased in aboundance, and were multiplied, and were exceeding mightie, so that the land was full of them.

The Israelites were fruitful, increased greatly in numbers, and became very strong; the land was filled with them.

8 Then there rose vp a newe King in Egypt, who knewe not Ioseph.

Now then a new king arose over Egypt, one who did not know about Joseph.

9 And he sayde vnto his people, Beholde, the people of the children of Israel are greater and mightier then we.

He said to his people, “Look, the Israelites are more numerous and stronger than we are.

10 Come, let vs worke wisely with them, least they multiplie, and it come to passe, that if there be warre, they ioyne them selues also vnto our enemies, and fight against vs, and get them out of the land.

Come, let us deal with them wisely, otherwise they will continue to grow in numbers, and if war breaks out, they will join our enemies, fight against us, and leave the land.”

11 Therefore did they set taskemasters ouer them, to keepe the vnder with burdens: and they built the cities Pithom and Raamses for the treasures of Pharaoh.

So they put taskmasters over them to oppress them with hard labor. The Israelites built store cities for Pharaoh: Pithom and Rameses.

12 But the more they vexed them, the more they multiplied and grewe: therefore they were more grieued against the children of Israel.

But the more the Egyptians oppressed them, the more the Israelites increased in numbers and spread. So the Egyptians began to dread the Israelites.

13 Wherefore the Egyptians by crueltie caused the children of Israel to serue.

The Egyptians made the Israelites work rigorously.

14 Thus they made them weary of their liues by sore labour in clay and in bricke, and in al worke in the fielde, with all maner of bondage, which they layde vpon them most cruelly.

They made their lives bitter with hard service with mortar and brick, and with all kinds of work in the fields. All their required work was hard.

15 Moreouer the King of Egypt commanded ye midwiues of the Ebrewe women, (of which the ones name was Shiphrah, and the name of the other Puah)

Then the king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives; the name of the one was Shiphrah, and the other Puah.

16 And sayde, When ye doe the office of a midwife to the women of the Ebrewes, and see them on their stooles, if it be a sonne, then yee shall kill him: but if it be a daughter, then let her liue.

He said, “When you assist the Hebrew women on the birthstool, observe when they give birth. If it is a son, then you must kill him; but if it is a daughter, then she may live.”

17 Notwithstanding ye midwiues feared God, and did not as the King of Egypt commanded them, but preserued aliue the men children.

But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt ordered them; instead, they let the baby boys live.

18 Then the King of Egypt called for the midwiues, and sayde vnto them, Why haue yee done thus, and haue preserued aliue the men children?

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

19 And the midwiues answered Pharaoh, Because the Ebrewe women are not as the women of Egypt: for they are liuely, and are deliuered yer the midwife come at them.

The midwives answered Pharaoh, “The Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women. They are vigorous and have finished giving birth before a midwife comes to them.”

20 God therefore prospered the midwiues, and the people multiplied and were very mightie.

God protected these midwives. The people increased in numbers and became very strong.

21 And because ye midwiues feared God, therefore he made them houses.

Because the midwives feared God, he gave them families.

22 Then Pharaoh charged all his people, saying, Euery man childe that is borne, cast yee into the riuer, but reserue euery maide childe aliue.

Pharaoh ordered all his people, “You must throw every son that is born into the river, but every daughter you will let live.”