THE BOOK OF EXODUS

Exodus Chapter 13

1 ¶ The LORD spoke to Moses, saying,

2 Set apart to me all the firstborn, whatever is first to open the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of beast: it is mine.

3 And Moses said to the people, Remember this day, on which you came out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by a strong hand the LORD brought you out of this place: so no leavened bread shall be eaten.

4 This day you are going out in the month of Abib.

5 And when the LORD brings you into the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, that he swore to your fathers to give you, a land flowing with milk and honey, you shall keep this service in this month.

6 Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, and on the seventh day there will be a feast to the LORD.

7 Unleavened bread will be eaten for seven days; no leavened bread shall be seen with you, and no leaven shall be seen with you in all your territory.

8 And you will explain to your son on that day, saying, This is done because of what the LORD did for me when I came out of Egypt.

9 And it shall be for a sign to you upon your hand, and for a memorial between your eyes, that the LORD’S law may be in your mouth: for the LORD has brought you out of Egypt with a strong hand.

10 Therefore you shall observe this ordinance at this time every year.

11 ¶ And when the LORD brings you into the land of the Canaanites, as he swore to you and to your fathers, and gives it to you,

12 You shall set apart to the LORD all that first opens the womb, and every first born male of the animals that you have; shall be the LORD’S.

13 And every firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb; or if you will not redeem it, then you will break its neck: but you shall redeem every firstborn son.

14 And when in time to come your son asks you, Why is this done? you shall say to him, The LORD brought us out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage, by a strong hand:

15 For when Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the LORD slew all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man, and the firstborn of beast: therefore I sacrifice to the LORD all the males that first open the womb; but I redeem all the firstborn of my sons.

16 And it shall be as a reminder upon your hand, and a symbol on your forehead: for the LORD brought us out of Egypt by a strong hand.

17 ¶ When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road that goes through the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, The people may change their minds when they encounter war, and return to Egypt:

18 But God led the people around, by way of the desert toward the Red sea: and the children of Israel left Egypt prepared for battle.

19 And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him: for Joseph had required an oath from the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you; then you must carry up my bones away from here with you.

20 And they journeyed from Succoth, and encamped at Etham, on the edge of the desert.

21 And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them along the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; that they might travel by day and by night:

22 He did not remove the pillar of the cloud by day, or the pillar of fire by night, as it went ahead of the people.