17
"But as the time drew near for the fulfilment of the promise which God had made to Abraham, the people became many times more numerous in Egypt,
18
until there arose a foreign king over Egypt who knew nothing of Joseph.
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He adopted a crafty policy towards our race, and oppressed our forefathers, making them cast out their infants so that they might not be permitted to live.
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At this time Moses was born--a wonderfully beautiful child; and for three months he was cared for in his father's house.
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At length he was cast out, but Pharaoh's daughter adopted him, and brought him up as her own son.
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So Moses was educated in all the learning of the Egyptians, and possessed great influence through his eloquence and his achievements.
23
"And when he was just forty years old, it occurred to him to visit his brethren the descendants of Israel.
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Seeing one of them wrongfully treated he took his part, and secured justice for the ill-treated man by striking down the Egyptian.
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He supposed his brethren to be aware that by him God was sending them deliverance; this, however, they did not understand.
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The next day, also, he came and found two of them fighting, and he endeavoured to make peace between them. "`Sirs,' he said, `you are brothers. Why are you wronging one another?'
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"But the man who was doing the wrong resented his interference, and asked, "`Who appointed you magistrate and judge over us?