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21 ¶ And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even darkness which may be felt.

22 And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven, and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days.

23 They did not see one another, neither did any rise from his place for three days; but all the sons of Israel had light in their dwellings.

24 Then Pharaoh called unto Moses and said, Go, serve the LORD; only let your sheep and your cows remain; let your little ones also go with you.

25 And Moses replied, Thou also must give us sacrifices and burnt offerings that we may sacrifice unto the LORD our God.

26 Our cattle shall also go with us; not a hoof shall be left behind; for we must take thereof to serve the LORD our God; and we do not know with what we must serve the LORD until we arrive there.

27 But the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he would not let them go.

28 And Pharaoh said unto him, Go from me, take heed to thyself to see my face no more; for in the day that thou seest my face thou shalt die.

29 And Moses replied, Thou hast spoken well, I will not see thy face again.

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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)

24 Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and said, “Go,(D) worship the Lord. Even your women and children(E) may go with you; only leave your flocks and herds behind.”(F)

25 But Moses said, “You must allow us to have sacrifices and burnt offerings(G) to present to the Lord our God. 26 Our livestock too must go with us; not a hoof is to be left behind. We have to use some of them in worshiping the Lord our God, and until we get there we will not know what we are to use to worship the Lord.”

27 But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart,(H) and he was not willing to let them go. 28 Pharaoh said to Moses, “Get out of my sight! Make sure you do not appear before me again! The day you see my face you will die.”

29 “Just as you say,” Moses replied. “I will never appear(I) before you again.”

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