18
although most of them were still in the country, some still residing in their homes, and some at the place; the task was impossible for all the generals in Egypt.
16
The king was greatly and continually filled with joy, organizing feasts in honor of all his idols, with a mind alienated from truth and with a profane mouth, praising speechless things that are not able even to communicate or to come to one's help, and uttering improper words against the supreme God.
17
But after the previously mentioned interval of time the scribes declared to the king that they were no longer able to take the census of the Jews because of their innumerable multitude,
18
although most of them were still in the country, some still residing in their homes, and some at the place; the task was impossible for all the generals in Egypt.
19
After he had threatened them severely, charging that they had been bribed to contrive a means of escape, he was clearly convinced about the matter
20
when they said and proved that both the paper and the pens they used for writing had already given out.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the 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.