“The elders will listen to you. And then you and the elders of Israel will go to the king of Egypt and tell him, ‘The Lord, the God of the Hebrews, ·appeared to [^Lmet with] us. Let us travel three days into the ·desert [wilderness] to offer sacrifices to the Lord our God.’

Then Aaron and Moses said, “The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Now let us travel three days into the ·desert [wilderness] to offer sacrifices to the Lord our God. If we don’t do this, he may kill us with a ·disease [pestilence; plague] or in war.”

Moses ·raised [stretched; extended] his hand toward the ·sky [heavens], and ·total [dense; deep] darkness was everywhere in Egypt for three days.

No one could see ·anyone else [^Lhis brother], and no one could go anywhere for three days. But the ·Israelites [^Lsons/^Tchildren of Israel] had light where they lived.

Bitter Water Becomes Good

Moses led the Israelites away from the ·Red [or Reed; 10:19] Sea into the ·Desert [Wilderness] of Shur. They traveled for three days in the ·desert [wilderness] but found no water.

Then Moses said to the people, “Be ready in three days. Do not ·have sexual relations during this time [^Ltouch a woman; ^Can emission of semen rendered a man ritually unclean; Lev. 15:16–18].”