"For everyfirstbornamong the sonsof Israelis Mine, among the menand among the animals;on the daythat I struckdownallthe firstbornin the landof EgyptI sanctifiedthem for Myself.
He also struckdownallthe firstbornin their land,The firstfruitsof alltheir vigor.
He smotethe firstbornof Egypt,Bothof manand beast.
And smoteallthe firstbornin Egypt,The first[issue] of their virilityin the tentsof Ham.
Now it cameabout at midnightthat the LORDstruckallthe firstbornin the landof Egypt,from the firstbornof Pharaohwho saton his throneto the firstbornof the captivewhowas in the dungeon,and allthe firstbornof cattle.
"Sanctifyto Me everyfirstborn,the firstoffspringof everywombamong the sonsof Israel,both of manand beast;it belongs to Me."
"I will consecratethe tentof meetingand the altar;I will also consecrateAaronand his sonsto ministeras prieststo Me.
"AlsoI gavethem My sabbathsto be a signbetweenMe and them, that they might knowthat I am the LORDwho sanctifiesthem.
However,a firstbornamong animals,whichas a firstbornbelongs to the LORD,nomanmay consecrateit; whetheroxorsheep,it is the LORD'S.
"For allthe firstbornare Mine; on the daythat I struckdownallthe firstbornin the landof Egypt,I sanctifiedto Myself allthe firstbornin Israel,from manto beast.They shall be Mine; I am the LORD."
"But I have takenthe Levitesinsteadof everyfirstbornamong the sonsof Israel.
(as it is writtenin the Lawof the Lord,"EVERY[firstborn] MALETHAT OPENSTHE WOMBSHALL BE CALLEDHOLYTO THE LORD"),
do you sayof Him, whomthe Fathersanctifiedand sentinto the world,'You are blaspheming,'becauseI said,I amthe Sonof God'?
"For their sakesI sanctifyMyself,that they themselvesalsomay be sanctifiedin truth.
How muchsevererpunishmentdo you thinkhe will deservewho has trampled under footthe Sonof God,and has regardedas uncleanthe bloodof the covenantby whichhe was sanctified,and has insultedthe Spiritof grace?
By faithhe keptthe Passoverand the sprinklingof the blood,sothat he who destroyedthe firstbornwould not touchthem.
In the exercise of His willHe brought us forthby the wordof truth,sothat we would be a kindof first fruitsamong His creatures.
