Exodus 4:10-17
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
10 But Moses said to the Lord, “O my Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor even now that you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.”(A) 11 Then the Lord said to him, “Who gives speech to mortals? Who makes them mute or deaf, seeing or blind? Is it not I, the Lord?(B) 12 Now go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you are to speak.”(C) 13 But he said, “O my Lord, please send someone else.” 14 Then the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses, and he said, “What of your brother Aaron, the Levite? I know that he can speak well; even now he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you his heart will be glad.(D) 15 You shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth, and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth and will teach you what you shall do.(E) 16 He indeed shall speak for you to the people; he shall serve as a mouth for you, and you shall serve as God for him. 17 Take in your hand this staff, with which you shall perform the signs.”(F)
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Exodus 4:10-17
International Standard Version
10 Then Moses told the Lord, “Please, Lord, I’m not eloquent.[a] I never was in the past[b] nor am I now since you spoke to your servant. In fact, I talk too slowly[c] and I have a speech impediment.”[d]
11 Then God asked him, “Who gives a person a mouth? Who makes him unable to speak, or deaf, or able to see, or blind, or lame? Is it not I, the Lord? 12 Now, go! I myself will help you with your speech,[e] and I’ll teach you what you are to say.”
13 Moses said, “Please, Lord, send somebody else.”[f]
14 Then the Lord was angry with Moses and said, “There’s your brother Aaron, a descendant of Levi, isn’t there? I know that he certainly is eloquent.[g] Right now he’s coming to meet you and he will be pleased to see you. 15 You’re to speak to him and tell him what to say.[h] I’ll help both you and him with your speech,[i] and I’ll teach both of you what you are to do. 16 He is to speak to the people for you as your spokesman[j] and you are to act in the role of[k] God for him. 17 Now pick up that staff with your hand. You’ll use it to perform the signs.”
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- Exodus 4:10 Lit. a man of words
- Exodus 4:10 Lit. either yesterday or the day before
- Exodus 4:10 Lit. heavy of mouth
- Exodus 4:10 Lit. heavy
- Exodus 4:12 Lit. will be with your mouth
- Exodus 4:13 Lit. by a hand send; i.e. by someone else’s hand send
- Exodus 4:14 Lit. he certainly speaks
- Exodus 4:15 Lit. put the words in his mouth
- Exodus 4:15 Lit. I’ll be with your mouth and with his mouth
- Exodus 4:16 Lit. be your mouth
- Exodus 4:16 Lit. be
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