¹⁷ But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt had said to them, but saved the male children alive.

¹ {A Song of degrees.} Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth -- oh let Israel say --

² Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth; yet they have not prevailed against me.

³ The ploughers ploughed upon my back; they made long their furrows.

⁴ Jehovah is righteous: he hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked.

⁵ Let them be ashamed and turned backward, all that hate Zion;

⁶ Let them be as the grass upon the house-tops, which withereth before it is plucked up,

⁷ Wherewith the mower filleth not his hand, nor he that bindeth sheaves his bosom;

⁸ Neither do the passers-by say, The blessing of Jehovah be upon you; we bless you in the name of Jehovah!