Exodus 1:8–22
8Then a new king came to power in Egypt — one who knew nothing about Joseph. 9He told his people, "Look, the Israelites have grown more numerous and more powerful than we are. 10We need to deal with them carefully. If they keep growing and a war breaks out, they might side with our enemies, fight against us, and escape from the country." 11Therefore, they appointed taskmasters over them to afflict them with their burdens. And they built treasure cities for Pharaoh: Pithom and Raamses. 12But the more the Egyptians oppressed them, the more the Israelites multiplied and spread. And the Egyptians were grieved because of the children of Israel. 13So the Egyptians worked the Israelites ruthlessly. 14They made their lives miserable with backbreaking labor — mixing mortar, making bricks, and doing every kind of work in the fields. Every task forced on them was carried out under brutal conditions. 15The king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives — one named Shiphrah and the other Puah. 16He told them, "When you help the Hebrew women give birth, watch as the baby is delivered. If it's a boy, kill him. If it's a girl, let her live." 17But the midwives feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the baby boys alive. 18The king summoned the midwives and demanded, "Why have you done this? Why are you letting the boys live?" 19The midwives answered Pharaoh, "Hebrew women aren't like Egyptian women. They're so strong and vigorous that they give birth before we even arrive." 20Therefore, God was good to the midwives, and the people multiplied and became very strong. 21Because the midwives feared God, he provided them with houses. 22Then Pharaoh commanded all his people, "You shall throw every son that is born into the river, and you shall let every daughter live."