So Israel’s sons came to buy grain among the other travelers, for the famine was severe in the land of Canaan.

Israel said, “Why did you bring this trouble on me by telling the man you had one more brother?”

Then Israel said, “Enough! My son Joseph is still alive! I will go and see him before I die.”

God spoke to Israel in a vision during the night and said, “Jacob, Jacob!” He replied, “Here I am!”

These are the names of the sons of Israel who went to Egypt – Jacob and his sons: Reuben, the firstborn of Jacob.

Israel settled in the land of Egypt, in the land of Goshen, and they owned land there. They were fruitful and increased rapidly in number.

Jacob said, “Swear to me that you will do so.” So Joseph gave him his word. Then Israel bowed down at the head of his bed.

Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce, and their fury, for it was cruel. I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel!

These are the names of the sons of Israel who entered Egypt – each man with his household entered with Jacob:

The Israelites, however, were fruitful, increased greatly, multiplied, and became extremely strong, so that the land was filled with them.

He said to his people, “Look at the Israelite people, more numerous and stronger than we are!

But the more the Egyptians oppressed them, the more they multiplied and spread. As a result the Egyptians loathed the Israelites,

So now go, and I will send you to Pharaoh to bring my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt.”

You must say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the Lord, “Israel is my son, my firstborn,

Then Moses and Aaron went and brought together all the Israelite elders.

The Israelite foremen went and cried out to Pharaoh, “Why are you treating your servants this way?

“Go, tell Pharaoh king of Egypt that he must release the Israelites from his land.”

Only in the land of Goshen, where the Israelites lived, was there no hail.

But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he did not release the Israelites.

and the Israelites went away and did exactly as the Lord had commanded Moses and Aaron.