17. He sent a man ahead of them into Egypt. That man was Joseph. He had been sold as a slave.
18. The Egyptians put his feet in chains. They put an iron collar around his neck.
19. He was in prison until what he said would happen came true. The word of the Lord proved that he was right.
20. The king of Egypt sent for Joseph and let him out of prison. The ruler of many nations set him free.
21. He put Joseph in charge of his palace. He made him ruler over everything he owned.
22. Joseph was in charge of teaching the princes. He taught the elders how to think and live wisely.
23. Then the rest of Jacob's family went to Egypt. The people of Israel lived as outsiders in the land of Ham.
24. The Lord gave his people so many children that there were too many of them for their enemies.
25. He made the Egyptians hate his people. The Egyptians made evil plans against them.
26. The Lord sent his servant Moses to the king of Egypt. He sent Aaron, his chosen one, along with him.
27. The Lord gave them the power to do miraculous signs among the Egyptians. They did his wonders in the land of Ham.
28. He sent darkness over the land. He did it because the Egyptians had refused to obey his words.
29. He turned their rivers and streams into blood. He caused the fish in them to die.
30. Their land was covered with frogs. Frogs even went into the bedrooms of the rulers.
31. The Lord spoke, and large numbers of flies came. Gnats filled the whole country.