Exodus 8:20-32
Amplified Bible
20 Now the Lord said to Moses, “Get up early in the morning and stand before Pharaoh as he is coming out to the water [of the Nile], and say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord, “Let My people go, so that they may serve Me. 21 For if you do not let My people go, hear this: I will send swarms of [bloodsucking] insects on you and on your servants and on your people and into your houses; and the houses of the Egyptians will be full of swarms of insects, as well as the ground on which they stand. 22 But on that day I will separate and set apart the land of Goshen, where My people are living, so that no swarms of insects will be there, so that you may know [without any doubt] and acknowledge that I, the Lord, am in the midst of the earth. 23 I will [a]put a division (distinction) between My people and your people. By tomorrow this sign shall be in evidence.”’” 24 Then the Lord did so. And there came heavy and oppressive swarms of [bloodsucking] insects into the house of Pharaoh and his servants’ houses; in all the land of Egypt the land was corrupted and ruined because of the [great invasion of] insects.
25 Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron and said, “Go, sacrifice to your God [here] in the land [of Egypt].” 26 But Moses said, “It is not right [or even possible] to do that, for we will sacrifice to the Lord our God what is repulsive and unacceptable to the Egyptians [that is, animals that the Egyptians consider sacred]. If we sacrifice what is repulsive and unacceptable to the Egyptians, will they not riot and stone us? 27 We must go a three days’ journey into the wilderness and sacrifice to the Lord our God as He commands us.” 28 So Pharaoh said, “I will let you go, so that you may sacrifice to the Lord your God in the wilderness; only you shall not go very far away. Plead [with your God] for me.” 29 Moses said, “I am going to leave you, and I will urgently petition (pray, entreat) the Lord that the swarms of insects may leave Pharaoh, his servants, and his people tomorrow; only do not let Pharaoh act deceitfully again by not letting the people go to sacrifice to the Lord.”
30 So Moses left Pharaoh and prayed to the Lord [on behalf of Pharaoh]. 31 The Lord did as Moses asked, and removed the swarms of [bloodsucking] insects from Pharaoh, from his servants and from his people; not one remained. 32 But Pharaoh hardened his heart this time also, and he did not let the people go.
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- Exodus 8:23 Lit set a ransom.
Exodus 8:20-32
New American Standard Bible
20 Then the Lord said to Moses, “(A)Rise early in the morning and present yourself before Pharaoh, [a]as (B)he comes out to the water; and say to him, ‘This is what the Lord says: “(C)Let My people go, so that they may serve Me. 21 For if you are not going to let My people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies on you and on your servants and on your people, and into your houses; and the houses of the Egyptians will be full of swarms of flies, and also the ground on which they live. 22 (D)But on that day I will set apart the land of Goshen, where My people are [b]living, so that no swarms of flies will be there, in order that you may know that [c](E)I, the Lord, am in the midst of the land. 23 I will [d]put a division between My people and your people. Tomorrow this sign will occur.”’” 24 Then the Lord did so. And [e]thick swarms of flies entered the house of Pharaoh and the houses of his servants, and the land was (F)laid waste because of the swarms of flies in all the land of Egypt.
25 Then Pharaoh (G)called for Moses and Aaron and said, “(H)Go, sacrifice to your God within the land.” 26 But Moses said, “It is not permissible for us to do so, because we will sacrifice to the Lord our God [f]that which is (I)an abomination to the Egyptians. If we sacrifice [g]that which is an abomination to the Egyptians before their eyes, will they not stone us? 27 We must go a (J)three days’ journey into the wilderness and sacrifice to the Lord our God, just as He [h]commands us.” 28 Pharaoh said, “(K)I will let you go, so that you may sacrifice to the Lord your God in the wilderness; only you shall not go very far away. (L)Plead for me.” 29 Then Moses said, “Behold, I am going to leave you, and I will plead with the Lord that the swarms of flies may depart from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people tomorrow; only do not let Pharaoh (M)deal deceitfully again in not letting the people go to sacrifice to the Lord.”
30 So (N)Moses left Pharaoh and pleaded with the Lord. 31 The Lord did [i]as Moses asked, and removed the swarms of flies from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people; not one remained. 32 But Pharaoh [j]hardened his heart this time also, and (O)he did not let the people go.
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- Exodus 8:20 Lit behold
- Exodus 8:22 Lit standing
- Exodus 8:22 Or I am the Lord in the midst of the earth
- Exodus 8:23 Lit set a ransom
- Exodus 8:24 Lit heavy
- Exodus 8:26 Lit the abomination of Egypt
- Exodus 8:26 Lit the abomination of Egypt
- Exodus 8:27 Lit says to us
- Exodus 8:31 Lit according to the word of Moses
- Exodus 8:32 Lit made heavy
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