¹⁰ Moses said to the Lord, “Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.”^(A)

¹¹ The Lord said to him, “Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute?^(B) Who gives them sight or makes them blind?^(C) Is it not I, the Lord? ¹² Now go;^(D) I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.”^(E)

¹³ But Moses said, “Pardon your servant, Lord. Please send someone else.”^(F)

¹⁴ Then the Lord’s anger burned^(G) against Moses and he said, “What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well. He is already on his way to meet^(H) you, and he will be glad to see you. ¹⁵ You shall speak to him and put words in his mouth;^(I) I will help both of you speak and will teach you what to do. ¹⁶ He will speak to the people for you, and it will be as if he were your mouth^(J) and as if you were God to him.^{(K) 17} But take this staff^(L) in your hand^(M) so you can perform the signs^(N) with it.”