8. The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron.
9. He said, "Pharaoh will say to you, 'Do a miracle.' When he does, speak to Aaron. Tell him, 'Take your wooden staff and throw it down in front of Pharaoh.' It will turn into a snake."
10. So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh. They did exactly as the Lord had commanded them. Aaron threw his staff down in front of Pharaoh and his officials. It turned into a snake.
11. Then Pharaoh sent for wise men and those who do evil magic. By doing their magic tricks, the Egyptian magicians did the same things Aaron had done.
12. Each one threw his staff down. Each staff turned into a snake. But Aaron's staff swallowed theirs up.
13. In spite of that, Pharaoh's heart became stubborn. He wouldn't listen to them, just as the Lord had said.
14. Then the Lord said to Moses, "Pharaoh's heart is very stubborn. He refuses to let the people go.
15. In the morning Pharaoh will go down to the water. Go and wait on the bank of the Nile River to meet him. Take in your hand the wooden staff that turned into a snake.
16. "Say to Pharaoh, 'The Lord, the God of the Hebrews, has sent me to you. He says, "Let my people go. Then they will be able to worship me in the desert. But up to now you have not listened."