Exodus 7:3-12

New International Version

³ But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart,^(A) and though I multiply my signs and wonders^(B) in Egypt, ⁴ he will not listen^(C) to you. Then I will lay my hand on Egypt and with mighty acts of judgment^(D) I will bring out my divisions,^(E) my people the Israelites. ⁵ And the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord^(F) when I stretch out my hand^(G) against Egypt and bring the Israelites out of it.”

⁶ Moses and Aaron did just as the Lord commanded^(H) them. ⁷ Moses was eighty years old^(I) and Aaron eighty-three when they spoke to Pharaoh.

Aaron’s Staff Becomes a Snake

⁸ The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, ⁹ “When Pharaoh says to you, ‘Perform a miracle,^(J)’ then say to Aaron, ‘Take your staff and throw it down before Pharaoh,’ and it will become a snake.”^(K)

¹⁰ So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did just as the Lord commanded. Aaron threw his staff down in front of Pharaoh and his officials, and it became a snake. ¹¹ Pharaoh then summoned wise men and sorcerers,^(L) and the Egyptian magicians^(M) also did the same things by their secret arts:^{(N) 12} Each one threw down his staff and it became a snake. But Aaron’s staff swallowed up their staffs.