16 "When you help the Hebrew women give birth," he said to them, "kill the baby if it is a boy; but if it is a girl, let it live."

17 But the midwives were God-fearing and so did not obey the king; instead, they let the boys live.

18 So the king sent for the midwives and asked them, "Why are you doing this? Why are you letting the boys live?"