[17] But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded the men children alive. [18] And the king of Egypt called for the midwives, and said unto them, Why have ye done this thing, the men children alive? [19] And the midwives said unto Pharaoh, Because the Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women; for they are lively, and are delivered ere the midwives come in [20] Therefore God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty. [21] And it came to pass, because the midwives feared God, that he made them houses.