¹⁷ “But ^(A)as the time of the promise drew near, which God had granted to Abraham, ^(B)the people increased and multiplied in Egypt

⁵ “And you shall make response before the Lord your God, ‘A ^(A)wandering Aramean was my father. And he went down into Egypt and sojourned there, ^(B)few in number, and there he became a nation, great, mighty, and populous.

³⁷ And the ^(A)people of Israel journeyed from ^(B)Rameses to Succoth, ^(C)about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides women and children.

^7 (A)But the people of Israel were fruitful and increased greatly; they multiplied and grew exceedingly strong, so that the land was filled with them.

Pharaoh Oppresses Israel

⁸ Now there arose a new king over Egypt, ^(B)who did not know Joseph. ⁹ And he said to his people, “Behold, ^(C)the people of Israel are too many and too mighty for us.

³ Then he said, “I am God, ^(A)the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will ^(B)make you into a great nation.

^16 (A)I will make your offspring as the dust of the earth, so that if one can count the dust of the earth, your offspring also can be counted.

¹² Therefore from one man, and ^(A)him as good as dead, were born descendants ^(B)as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.