Then Pharaoh commanded all his people, “All sons that are born you must throw into the river, but all daughters you may let live.”

Nonetheless, because you have treated the Lord with such contempt in this matter, the son who has been born to you will certainly die.”

The king responded, “Give the first woman the living child; don’t kill him. She is the mother.”

The real mother spoke up to the king, for her motherly instincts were aroused. She said, “My master, give her the living child! Whatever you do, don’t kill him!” But the other woman said, “Neither one of us will have him! Let them cut him in two!”