Exodus 1 Comparison: Catholic Public Domain vs Douay-Rheims
Exodus 1
1These are the names of the sons of Israel, who went into Egypt with Jacob. They entered, each one with his house:
2Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah,
3Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin,
4Dan and Naphtali, Gad and Asher.
5Therefore, all the souls of those who went forth from Jacob’s thigh were seventy. Now Joseph was in Egypt.
6When he had died, along with all of his brothers and all of that generation,
7the sons of Israel increased, and they multiplied like seedlings. And having been strengthened exceedingly, they filled the land.
8Meanwhile, there arose a new king over Egypt, who was ignorant of Joseph.
9And he said to his people: “Behold, the people of the sons of Israel are many, and they are stronger than we are.
10Come, let us wisely oppress them, lest they multiply; and if any war should advance against us, they may be added to our enemies, and having fought against us, they might depart from the land.”
11And so he set over them masters of the works, in order to afflict them with burdens. And they built for Pharaoh the cities of the tabernacles: Pithom and Raamses.
12And the more they oppressed them, so much more did they multiply and increase.
13And the Egyptians hated the sons of Israel, and they afflicted them and mocked them.
14And they led their life directly into bitterness, with hard work in clay and brick, and with all kinds of servitude, so that they were being overwhelmed with the works of the land.
15Then the king of Egypt spoke to the midwives of the Hebrews, (one of whom one was called Shiphrah, another Puah)
16instructing them: “When you will act as a midwife to the Hebrew women, and the time of delivery has arrived: if it is male, put it to death; if it is female, retain it.”
17But the midwives feared God, and so they did not act according to the precept of the king of Egypt, but they kept the males safe.
18And summoning them, the king said, “What did you intend to do, so that you would save the boys?”
19They responded: “The Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women. For they themselves have the wisdom of a midwife, and so they give birth before we can come to them.”
20Therefore, God acted favorably toward the midwives. And the people increased, and they were strengthened exceedingly.
21And because the midwives feared God, he built houses for them.
22Therefore, Pharaoh instructed all his people, saying: “Whatever will be born of the male sex, cast it into the river; whatever will be born of the female sex, retain it.”
Exodus 1
1These are the names of the children of Israel, that went into Egypt with Jacob: they went in every man with his household:
2Ruben, Simeon, Levi, Juda,
3Issachar, Zabulon, and Benjamin,
4Dan, and Nephthali, Gad and Aser.
5And all the souls that came out of Jacob's thigh, were seventy: but Joseph was in Egypt.
6After he was dead, and all his brethren, and all that generation,
7The children of Israel increased, and sprung up into multitudes, and growing exceedingly strong they filled the land.
8In the mean time there arose a new king over Egypt, that knew not Joseph:
9And he said to his people: Behold the people of the children of Israel are numerous and stronger than we.
10Come let us wisely oppress them, lest they multiply: and if any war shall rise against us, join with our enemies, and having overcome us, depart out of the land.
11Therefore he set over them masters of the works, to afflict them with burdens: and they built for Pharao cities of tabernacles, Phithom, and Ramesses.
12But the more they oppressed them, the more they were multiplied and increased.
13And the Egyptians hated the children of Israel, and afflicted them and mocked them:
14And they made their life bitter with hard works in clay and brick, and with all manner of service, wherewith they were overcharged in the works of the earth.
15And the king of Egypt spoke to the midwives of the Hebrews: of whom one was called Sephora, the other Phua,
16Commanding them: When you shall do the office of midwives to the Hebrew women, and the time of delivery is come: if it be a man child, kill it: if a woman, keep it alive.
17But the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt had commanded, but saved the men children.
18And the king called for them and said: What is it that you meant to do, that you would save the men children?
19They answered: The Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women: for they themselves are skilful in the office of a midwife; and they are delivered before we come to them.
20Therefore God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied and grew exceedingly strong.
21And because the midwives feared God, he built them houses.
22Pharao therefore charged all his people, saying: Whatsoever shall be born of the male sex, ye shall cast into the river: whatsoever of the female, ye shall save alive.
Understanding Catholic Public Domain vs Douay-Rheims in Exodus 1
Catholic Public Domain (CPDV)
Modern Catholic translation in the public domain with deuterocanonical books. Clear, contemporary English while preserving a formal tone. A strong option for Catholic reading plans and study.
Douay-Rheims (DRC)
Traditional Catholic English translation from the Latin Vulgate. Includes deuterocanonical books used in Catholic tradition. Best for readers who want a classic, historically influential Catholic Bible.
You are viewing a side-by-side comparison of Exodus 1 in the Catholic Public Domain and Douay-Rheims. Comparing these two versions can help shed light on the nuances of the original text.
Key Comparison: Exodus 1:16
"instructing them: “When you will act as a midwife to the Hebrew women, and the time of delivery has arrived: if it is male, put it to death; if it is female, retain it.”"
"Commanding them: When you shall do the office of midwives to the Hebrew women, and the time of delivery is come: if it be a man child, kill it: if a woman, keep it alive."
