6. Moses and Aaron did as the Lord had commanded them.
7. Moses was 80 years old and Aaron was 83 when they talked to Pharaoh.
8. The Lord said to Moses and Aaron,
9. “When Pharaoh says to you, ‘Give me a sign to prove that God has sent you,’ tell Aaron, ‘Take your shepherd’s staff and throw it down in front of Pharaoh,’ and it will become a large snake.”
10. Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did as the Lord had commanded. Aaron threw his staff down in front of Pharaoh and his officials, and it became a large snake.
11. Then Pharaoh sent for his wise men and sorcerers. These Egyptian magicians did the same thing using their magic spells.
12. Each of them threw his staff down, and they all became large snakes. But Aaron’s staff swallowed theirs.
13. Yet, Pharaoh continued to be stubborn and would not listen to them, as the Lord had predicted.
14. Then the Lord said to Moses, “Pharaoh is being stubborn. He refuses to let my people go.
15. In the morning meet Pharaoh when he’s on his way to the Nile. Wait for him on the bank of the river. Take along the staff that turned into a snake.
16. Say to him, ‘The Lord God of the Hebrews sent me to tell you, “Let my people go to worship me in the desert.” So far you have not listened.
17. Here is what the Lord says: This is the way you will recognize that I am the Lord: With this staff in my hand, I’m going to strike the Nile, and the water will turn into blood.