⁷ But the Israelites were fruitful, increased rapidly, multiplied, and became extremely numerous^(A) so that the land was filled with them.

⁹ He said to his people, ‘Look, the Israelite people are more numerous and powerful than we are.^(A)

¹¹ So the Egyptians assigned taskmasters over the Israelites to oppress them with forced labour.^(A) They built Pithom and Rameses as supply cities^(B) for Pharaoh.

¹⁸ 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: The Lord, 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 the Lord our God.^(A)