⁷ but the Israelites were exceedingly fruitful; they multiplied greatly, increased in numbers^(A) and became so numerous that the land was filled with them.

⁹ “Look,” he said to his people, “the Israelites have become far too numerous^(A) for us.^(B)

¹¹ So they put slave masters^(A) over them to oppress them with forced labor,^(B) and they built Pithom and Rameses^(C) as store cities^(D) for Pharaoh.

¹⁸ “The elders of Israel will listen^(A) to you. Then you and the elders are to go to the king of Egypt and say to him, ‘The Lord, the God of the Hebrews,^(B) has met^(C) with us. Let us take a three-day journey^(D) into the wilderness to offer sacrifices^(E) to the Lord our God.’