Book of Common Prayer

¹⁷ `Then it was almost time for God to do what he had promised to Abraham. The family of Jacob had become very large in Egypt.

¹⁸ Then a new king who did not know Joseph ruled over Egypt.

¹⁹ This king was not kind to our fathers but he gave them a hard time. They had to put their babies outside to die.

²⁰ `Moses was born during that time. He was a very fine baby. For three months he was raised in his own father's home.

²¹ When he was put outside to die, Pharaoh's daughter took him. She raised him as her own son.

²² Moses was taught all the things the Egyptians knew. He knew how to talk and could do great things.

²³ `When he was forty years old he decided to visit his own family, the people of Israel.

²⁴ There he saw one of them being hurt by an Egyptian. So he helped him. He fought for him and knocked down the Egyptian.

²⁵ He thought his people would know that God wanted him to make them free. But they did not understand.

²⁶ The next day he saw two of his own people fighting and he wanted to make peace. "You are brothers," he said. "Why are you fighting?"

²⁷ But the one who was fighting his neighbour pushed Moses away. He said, "Who made you our ruler and our judge?

²⁸ Do you want to kill me as you did the Egyptian yesterday?"

²⁹ When Moses heard these words, he left Egypt at once. He lived as a stranger in the country of Midian. While he was there, two sons were born to him.

³¹ `Simon, Simon, listen! Satan has asked to have all of you. He wants to shake you like grain with the cleaning fan.

³² But I have talked to God about you, Simon, so that you will keep on believing in me. And when you come back, then help your brothers to be strong.'

³³ Simon said, `Lord, I will go with you, even to prison or to die.'

³⁴ Jesus said, `I tell you this, Peter. This very day, before the cock calls, you will say three times that you do not know me.'

³⁵ Jesus said to them, `When I sent you out to the towns, I told you not to carry a money bag, or a bag, or shoes. Did you ever need anything at that time?' They said, `No.'

³⁶ He said, `But this time, anyone who has money should take it and his bag too. Anyone who has no sword should sell his coat and buy one.

³⁷ `The holy writings say, "He was counted as one of the bad people." And I tell you, that means me. And the things that are written about me must happen to me.'

³⁸ The disciples said, `Look, Lord, here are two swords.' And he answered, `That is enough.'