^4:23and I said to you, ‘Let my son go that he may serve⁷³ me,’ but since you have refused to let him go,⁷⁴ I will surely kill⁷⁵ your son, your firstborn!” ’ ”

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Footnotes

73 The text uses the imperative, “send out” (שַׁלַּח, shallakh) followed by the imperfect or jussive with the vav (ו) to express purpose.
74 The Piel infinitive serves as the direct object of the verb, answering the question of what Pharaoh would refuse to do. The command and refusal to obey are the grounds for the announcement of death for Pharaoh’s son.
75 The construction is very emphatic. The particle הִנֵּה (hinneh) gives it an immediacy and a vividness, as if God is already beginning to act. The participle with this particle has the nuance of an imminent future act, as if God is saying, “I am about to kill.” These words are not repeated until the last plague.

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

and I say to you, “Let my son go that he may serve me.” If you refuse to let him go, behold, I will kill your firstborn son.’ ”

NIVNew International Version (2011)

and I told you, “Let my son go, so he may worship me.” But you refused to let him go; so I will kill your firstborn son.’ ”

CSBChristian Standard Bible

I told you: Let my son go so that he may worship me, but you refused to let him go. Look, I am about to kill your firstborn son!”

NLTNew Living Translation

I commanded you, “Let my son go, so he can worship me.” But since you have refused, I will now kill your firstborn son!’ ”

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

And I said to you, “Release my son and let him serve me,” but you refused to release him. Look, I am about to kill your son, your firstborn.’ ”

KJV 1900King James Version

And I say unto thee, Let my son go, that he may serve me: and if thou refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay thy son, even thy firstborn.

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