17. But the midwives feared God, and so they did not act according to the precept of the king of Egypt, but they kept the males safe.
18. And summoning them, the king said, "What did you intend to do, so that you would save the boys?"
19. They responded: "The Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women. For they themselves have the wisdom of a midwife, and so they give birth before we can come to them."
20. Therefore, God acted favorably toward the midwives. And the people increased, and they were strengthened exceedingly.
21. And because the midwives feared God, he built houses for them.
22. Therefore, Pharaoh instructed all his people, saying: "Whatever will be born of the male sex, cast it into the river; whatever will be born of the female sex, retain it."