Exodus 13

All 22 verses in the Clear Bible Translation. Tap a verse to compare the KJV and read what it means.

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1. 1The LORD spoke to Moses and said,
2. 2Set apart to me all the firstborn, whatever opens the womb among the children of Israel, both human and animal: it is mine.
3. 3Moses told the people, "Remember this day, the day you came out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. The LORD brought you out from this place by His mighty power. No leavened bread is to be eaten."
4. 4Today, in the month of Abib, you are leaving.
5. 5When the LORD brings you into the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites — the land flowing with milk and honey that he swore to your ancestors he would give you — you must observe this ceremony during this month.
6. 6For 7 days you are to eat unleavened bread, and on the 7th day, hold a feast to the LORD.
7. 7Unleavened bread must be eaten throughout all 7 days. No bread made with yeast should be found anywhere among you — no yeast at all within your borders.
8. 8On that day, tell your son, 'This is done because of what the LORD did to me when I came out of Egypt.'
9. 9This observance will be like a sign on your hand and a memorial between your eyes, so that the LORD's law will be in your mouth. For the LORD brought you out of Egypt with a strong hand.
10. 10You must keep this ordinance at its appointed time, year after year.
11. 11"When the LORD brings you into the land of the Canaanites, just as he swore to you and your ancestors, and gives it to you,
12. 12you must set apart to the LORD every firstborn that comes from the womb, including every firstborn male from your livestock. The males belong to the LORD.
13. 13"You shall redeem every firstborn donkey with a lamb; if you do not redeem it, then you shall break its neck. You shall redeem every firstborn of man among your children."
14. 14In the future, when your son asks you, 'What does this mean?' tell him, 'The LORD brought us out of Egypt by his mighty power — out of the land where we were slaves.
15. 15"When Pharaoh was reluctant to let us go, the LORD killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man and the firstborn of beast. Therefore I sacrifice to the LORD all that open the womb, being males, but I redeem all the firstborn of my children."
16. 16This will be like a sign on your hand and a symbol on your forehead, because the LORD brought us out of Egypt by his mighty power."
17. 17When Pharaoh had let the people go, God did not lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines, although it was near, for God said, "Perhaps the people will repent when they see war and return to Egypt."
18. 18Instead, God led the people on a roundabout path through the wilderness toward the Red Sea. The Israelites left Egypt armed.
19. 19Moses brought the bones of Joseph with him, because Joseph had made the Israelites swear an oath, saying, "God will certainly come to your aid. When he does, you must carry my bones out of here with you."
20. 20They left Succoth and set up camp at Etham, on the edge of the wilderness.
21. 21The LORD went ahead of them — during the day as a pillar of cloud to guide their way, and at night as a pillar of fire to give them light — so they could travel both day and night.
22. 22The pillar of cloud never left them during the day, and the pillar of fire never left them at night.