Moses at the Burning Bush
1 Now Moses was tending the flock ofJethro his father-in-law,the priest of Midian. And he led the flock to the back of the desert, and came toHoreb,the mountain of God.
2 Andthe Angel of theLordappeared to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush. So he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, but the bushwasnot consumed.
3 Then Moses said, “I will now turn aside and see thisgreat sight, why the bush does not burn.”
4 So when theLordsaw that he turned aside to look, God calledto him from the midst of the bush and said, “Moses, Moses!”
And he said, “Here I am.”
5 Then He said, “Do not draw near this place.Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you standisholy ground.”
6 Moreover He said,“Iamthe God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, forhe was afraid to look upon God.
7 And theLordsaid:“I have surely seen the oppression of My people whoarein Egypt, and have heard their crybecause of their taskmasters,for I know their sorrows.
8 SoI have come down todeliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land toa good and large land, to a landflowing with milk and honey, to the place ofthe Canaanites and the Hittites and the Amorites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites.
9 Now therefore, behold,the cry of the children of Israel has come to Me, and I have also seen theoppression with which the Egyptians oppress them.
10 Come now, therefore, and I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring My people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.”
11 But Moses said to God,“WhoamI that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?”
12 So He said,“I will certainly be with you. And thisshallbeasign to you that I have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.”
13 Then Moses said to God, “Indeed,whenI come to the children of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they say to me, ‘WhatisHis name?’ what shall I say to them?”
14 And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel,‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ”
15 Moreover God said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel: ‘TheLordGod of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. ThisisMy name forever, and thisisMy memorial to all generations.’
16 Go andgather the elders of Israel together, and say to them, ‘TheLordGod of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared to me, saying,“I have surely visited you andseenwhat is done to you in Egypt;
17 and I have saidI will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt to the land of the Canaanites and the Hittites and the Amorites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites, to a land flowing with milk and honey.” ’
18 Thenthey will heed your voice; andyou shall come, you and the elders of Israel, to the king of Egypt; and you shall say to him, ‘TheLordGod of the Hebrews hasmet with us; and now, please, let us go three days’ journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to theLordour God.’
19 But I am sure that the king of Egyptwill not let you go, no, not even by a mighty hand.
20 So I willstretch out My hand and strike Egypt withall My wonders which I will do in its midst; andafter that he will let you go.
21 AndI will give this people favor in the sight of the Egyptians; and it shall be, when you go, that you shall not go empty-handed.
22 But every woman shall ask of her neighbor, namely, of her who dwells near her house,articles of silver, articles of gold, and clothing; and you shall putthemon your sons and on your daughters. Soyou shall plunder the Egyptians.”