15
When Pharaoh heard of it, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from Pharaoh. He settled in the land of Midian, and sat down by a well.
16
The priest of Midian had seven daughters. They came to draw water, and filled the troughs to water their father's flock.
17
But some shepherds came and drove them away. Moses got up and came to their defense and watered their flock.
18
When they returned to their father Reuel, he said, "How is it that you have come back so soon today?"
19
They said, "An Egyptian helped us against the shepherds; he even drew water for us and watered the flock."
20
He said to his daughters, "Where is he? Why did you leave the man? Invite him to break bread."
21
Moses agreed to stay with the man, and he gave Moses his daughter Zipporah in marriage.
22
She bore a son, and he named him Gershom; for he said, "I have been an alien a residing in a foreign land."
23
After a long time the king of Egypt died. The Israelites groaned under their slavery, and cried out. Out of the slavery their cry for help rose up to God.
24
God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. (New Revised Standard)