Firstborn

About midnight will I go out into the midst of Egypt, and all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die.

And Jacob said: I am Esau, thy firstborn: I have done as thou didst command me: arise, sit and eat of my venison, that thy soul may bless me.

And Isaac said to him: Why! who art thou? He answered: I am thy firstborn son, Esau.

And he called the name of the firstborn Manasses, saying: God hath made me to forget all my labours, and my father's house.

They sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his age. And they wondered very much; taking the messes which they received of him: and the greater mess came to Benjamin, so that it exceeded by five parts. And they drank, and were merry with him.

And he said to his father: It should not be so, my father; for this is the firstborn, put thy right hand upon his head.

Ruben, my firstborn, thou art my strength, and the beginning of my sorrow; excelling in gifts, greater in command.

And thou shalt say to him: Thus saith the Lord: Israel is my son, my firstborn. I have said to thee: Let my son go, that he may serve me, and thou wouldst not let him go: behold I will kill thy son, thy firstborn.

And he said: Thus saith the Lord: At midnight I will enter into Egypt. And every firstborn in the land of the Egyptians shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sitteth on his throne, even to the firstborn of the handmaid that is at the mill, and all the firstborn of beasts.

And I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and will kill every firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast: and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments; I am the Lord.