Three Days of Darkness

²¹Then the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand toward heaven so that darkness will spread over the land of Egypt — a darkness so thick it can be felt." ²²Moses stretched out his hand toward heaven, and a heavy darkness covered all of Egypt for three days. ²³No one could see anyone else, and no one left their home for three days. But all the Israelites had light where they lived. ²⁴Pharaoh summoned Moses and said, "Go — worship the LORD. You can even take your children. Just leave your flocks and herds behind." ²⁵Moses said, "You must also give us sacrifices and burnt offerings, so that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God." ²⁶Our livestock is coming with us too — not a single hoof will be left behind. We need them to worship the LORD our God, and we won't know exactly what the LORD requires until we get there." ²⁷But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he refused to let them go. ²⁸Pharaoh said to Moses, "Get out of my sight! Make sure you never appear before me again, because the day you see my face, you will die." ²⁹Moses replied, "You've spoken well. I will never see your face again."