1. The Lord said to Moses, "See, I’ve made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron will be your prophet.
2. You will say everything that I command you, and your brother Aaron will tell Pharaoh to let the Israelites out of his land.
3. But I’ll make Pharaoh stubborn, and I’ll perform many of my signs and amazing acts in the land of Egypt.
4. When Pharaoh refuses to listen to you, then I’ll act against Egypt and I’ll bring my people the Israelites out of the land of Egypt in military formation by momentous events of justice.
5. The Egyptians will come to know that I am the Lord, when I act against Egypt and bring the Israelites out from among them."
6. Moses and Aaron did just as the Lord commanded them.
7. Moses was 80 years old and Aaron was 83 when they spoke to Pharaoh.
8. The Lord said to Moses and Aaron,
9. "When Pharaoh says to you, ‘Do one of your amazing acts,’ then say to Aaron, ‘Take your shepherd’s rod and throw it down in front of Pharaoh, and it will turn into a cobra.’"
10. So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did just as the Lord commanded. Aaron threw down his shepherd’s rod in front of Pharaoh and his officials, and it turned into a cobra.
11. Then Pharaoh called together his wise men and wizards, and Egypt’s religious experts did the same thing by using their secret knowledge.