¹⁵ And the king of Egypt said to the Hebrew women who gave help at the time of childbirth (the name of the one was Shiphrah and the name of the other Puah),

^{16 Ref} When you are looking after the Hebrew women in childbirth, if it is a son you are to put him to death; but if it is a daughter, she may go on living.

^{17 Ref} But the women had the fear of God, and did not do as the king of Egypt said, but let the male children go on living.

^{18 Ref} And the king of Egypt sent for the women, and said to them, Why have you done this, and let the male children go on living?

^{19 Ref} And they said to Pharaoh, Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women, for they are strong, and the birth takes place before we come to them.

^{20 Ref} And the blessing of God was on these women: and the people were increased in number and became very strong.

^{21 Ref} And because the women who took care of the Hebrew mothers had the fear of God, he gave them families.