2. The Lord answered, “What's that in your hand?”“A walking stick,” Moses replied.
3. “Throw it down!” the Lord commanded. So Moses threw the stick on the ground. It immediately turned into a snake, and Moses jumped back.
4. “Pick it up by the tail!” the Lord told him. And when Moses did this, the snake turned back into a walking stick.
5. “Do this,” the Lord said, “and the Israelites will believe that you have seen me, the God who was worshipped by their ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”
6. Next, the Lord commanded Moses, “Put your hand inside your shirt.” Moses obeyed, and when he took it out, his hand had turned white as snow—like someone with leprosy.
7. “Put your hand back inside your shirt,” the Lord told him. Moses did so, and when he took it out again, it was as healthy as the rest of his body.
15-16. Aaron will speak to the people for you, and you will be like me, telling Aaron what to say. I will be with both of you as you speak, and I will tell each of you what to do.
17. Now take this walking stick and use it to perform miracles.
18. Moses went to his father-in-law Jethro and asked, “Please let me return to Egypt to see if any of my people are still alive.”“All right,” Jethro replied. “I hope all goes well.”