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But even though the Israelites were mistreated, their families grew larger, and they took over more land. Because of this, the Egyptians hated them worse than before

God was good to the two women because they truly respected him, and he blessed them with children of their own. The Hebrews kept increasing

When the king's daughter opened the basket, she saw the baby and felt sorry for him because he was crying. She said, "This must be one of the Hebrew babies."

And when he was old enough, she took him to the king's daughter, who adopted him. She named him Moses because she said, "I pulled him out of the water."

The man answered, "Who put you in charge of us and made you our judge? Are you planning to kill me, just as you killed that Egyptian?" This frightened Moses because he was sure that people must have found out what had happened.

After the death of the king of Egypt, the Israelites still complained because they were forced to be slaves. They cried out for help,

and because he knew what was happening to his people, he felt sorry for them.

The Lord said: I have seen how my people are suffering as slaves in Egypt, and I have heard them beg for my help because of the way they are being mistreated. I feel sorry for them,

So the Lord did not harm Moses. Then Zipporah said, "Yes, my dear, you are safe because of this circumcision."

and everyone believed. They bowed down and worshiped the Lord because they knew that he had seen their suffering and was going to help them.

The Lord God told Moses: Soon you will see what I will do to the king. Because of my mighty power, he will let my people go, and he will even chase them out of his country.

Now I have seen how the people of Israel are suffering because of the Egyptians, and I will keep my promise.

The Egyptians had to dig holes along the banks of the Nile for drinking water, because water from the river was unfit to drink.

Meanwhile, the flax and barley crops had been destroyed by the storm because they were ready to ripen.

I did this because I want you to tell your children and your grandchildren about my miracles and about my harsh treatment of the Egyptians. Then all of you will know that I am the Lord .

"Everyone, young and old," Moses answered. "We will even take our sheep, goats, and cattle, because we want to hold a celebration in honor of the Lord ."

And you will answer, "The Passover animal is killed to honor the Lord . We do these things because on that night long ago the Lord passed over the homes of our people in Egypt. He killed the first-born sons of the Egyptians, but he saved our children from death." After Moses finished speaking, the people of Israel knelt down and worshiped the Lord .

Then on the seventh day you must explain to your children that you do this because the Lord brought you out of Egypt.

This celebration will be like wearing a sign on your hand or on your forehead, because then you will pass on to others the teaching of the Lord , whose mighty power brought you out of Egypt.

From then on, you must give him every first-born son from your families and every first-born male from your animals, because these belong to him.