The Plague of Darkness

²¹ Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward the sky so that darkness^(A) spreads over Egypt—darkness that can be felt.” ²² So Moses stretched out his hand toward the sky, and total darkness^(B) covered all Egypt for three days. ²³ No one could see anyone else or move about for three days. Yet all the Israelites had light in the places where they lived.^(C)

²⁰ Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid.^(A) God has come to test^(B) you, so that the fear^(C) of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.”^(D)

²¹ The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness^(E) where God was.