Exodus 1:16-22 ▼

16 and says, “When you cause the Hebrew women to bear, and have looked on the children, if it [is] a son, then you have put him to death; and if it [is] a daughter, then she has lived.”

17 And the midwives fear God, and have not done as the king of Egypt has spoken to them, and they keep the boys alive;

18 and the king of Egypt calls for the midwives and says to them, “Why have you done this thing, and keep the boys alive?”

19 And the midwives say to Pharaoh, “Because the Hebrew women [are] not as the Egyptian women, for they [are] lively; before the midwife comes to them—they have borne!”

20 And God does good to the midwives, and the people multiply, and are very mighty;

21 and it comes to pass, because the midwives have feared God, that He makes households for them;

22 and Pharaoh lays a charge on all his people, saying, “Every son who is born—you cast him into the River, and every daughter you keep alive.”