17 But the midwives feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them; they let the boys live. 18 Then the king of Egypt summoned the midwives and said to them, “Why have you done this and let the boys live?” 19 The midwives said to Pharaoh, “Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women—for the Hebrew women are vigorous; they give birth before the midwife gets to them!” 20 So God treated the midwives well, and the people multiplied and became very strong. 21 And because the midwives feared God, he made households for them.

18 But the midwives feared before the Lord, and they did not do as the king of Egypt told them but let the sons live. 19 So the king of Egypt called the midwives and said to them, 'Why then have you done this thing and let the sons live?' 20 The midwives said to Pharaoh, 'Because the Jewish women are not like the Egyptian women, for they are strong and skillful. Before the midwife comes to them, they raise their eyes in prayer, praying and imploring mercy before their Father who is in heaven; he hears the voice of their prayer, and they are answered immediately, and they give birth and are delivered safely.' 21 And the Lord dealt well with the midwives; and the people increased and became exceedingly strong.