Exodus 5:1-5

Expanded Bible

Moses and Aaron Before Pharaoh

5 After Moses and Aaron talked to the people, they went to ·the king of Egypt [^LPharaoh] and said, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘Let my people go so they may ·hold a feast [celebrate a festival; or make a pilgrimage] for me in the ·desert [wilderness].’”

² But ·the king of Egypt [^LPharaoh] said, “Who is the Lord? Why should I ·obey him [^Llisten to his voice] and let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, and I will not let Israel go.”

³ Then Aaron and Moses said, “The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Now let us travel three days into the ·desert [wilderness] to offer sacrifices to the Lord our God. If we don’t do this, he may kill us with a ·disease [pestilence; plague] or in war.”

⁴ But the king [^Lof Egypt] said to them, “Moses and Aaron, why are you taking the people away from their work? Go back to your ·jobs [labor]! ⁵ ·There are very many Hebrews [^LThey are more numerous than the people of the land], and now you want them to quit working!”