A new king, who had not known Joseph, came to power in Egypt.

Then the king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, one of whom was named Shiphrah and the other Puah,

The Hebrew midwives, however, feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt had told them; they let the boys live.

So the king of Egypt summoned the midwives and asked them, “Why have you done this and let the boys live?”

After a long time, the king of Egypt died. The Israelites groaned because of their difficult labor, and they cried out; and their cry for help ascended to God because of the difficult labor.

They will listen to what you say. Then you, along with the elders of Israel, must go to the king of Egypt and say to him: Yahweh, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us. Now please let us go on a three-day trip into the wilderness so that we may sacrifice to Yahweh our God.

“However, I know that the king of Egypt will not allow you to go, unless he is forced by a strong hand.

The king of Egypt said to them, “Moses and Aaron, why are you causing the people to neglect their work? Get to your work!”

“Go and tell Pharaoh king of Egypt to let the Israelites go from his land.”

Then the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron and gave them commands concerning both the Israelites and Pharaoh king of Egypt to bring the Israelites out of the land of Egypt.

Moses and Aaron were the ones who spoke to Pharaoh king of Egypt in order to bring the Israelites out of Egypt.

He said to him, “I am Yahweh; tell Pharaoh king of Egypt everything I am telling you.”

When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds about the people and said: “What have we done? We have released Israel from serving us.”

The Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued the Israelites, who were going out triumphantly.