The Institution of Passover (April 13-April 20, 2006)

THE LORD SAID TO MOSES and Aaron in Egypt: This month is for you the first of months; you shall make it the first month of the year. Speak to the whole community of Isreal and say to them: On the tenth day of this month let each man take a lamb or a kid for his family, one for each household...

Your lamb or kid must be without blemish, a yearling male. You may take equally a sheep or a goat. You must have it in safe keeping until the fourteenth day of this month, and then all the assembled community of Israel shall slaughter the victim between dusk and dark. They must take some of the blood and smear it on the two door-posts and on the lintel of every house in which they eat the lamb.

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It is the LORD'S Passover. On that night I shall pass through the land of Egypt and kill every first-born of man and beast. Thus will I execute judgment, I the Lord, against all the gods of Egypt. And as for you, the blood will be a sign on the houses in which you are: when I see the blood I will pass over you ; the mortal blow shall not touch you, when I strike the land of Egypt.

EXODUS 12:1-8, 12-13 (NEB)