The Fourth Blow: Flies

8:20 43 The Lord44 said to Moses, “Get up early in the morning and position yourself before Pharaoh as he goes out to the water, and tell him, ‘Thus says the Lord, “Release my people that they may serve me! 8:21 If you do not release45 my people, then I am going to send46 swarms of flies47 on you and on your servants and on your people and in your houses. The houses of the Egyptians will be full of flies, and even the ground they stand on.48 8:22 But on that day I will mark off49 the land of Goshen, where my people are staying,50 so that no swarms of flies will be there, that you may know that I am the Lord in the midst of this land.51 8:23 I will put a division52 between my people and your people. This sign will take place53 tomorrow.” ’ ” 8:24 The Lord did so; a54 thick55 swarm of flies came into56 Pharaoh’s house and into the houses57 of his servants, and throughout the whole land of Egypt the land was ruined58 because of the swarms of flies.

8:25 Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, “Go, sacrifice to your God within the land.”59 8:26 But Moses said, “That would not be the right thing to do,60 for the sacrifices we make61 to the Lord our God would be an abomination62 to the Egyptians.63 If we make sacrifices that are an abomination to the Egyptians right before their eyes,64 will they not stone us?65 8:27 We must go66 on a three-day journey67 into the desert and sacrifice68 to the Lord our God, just as he is telling us.”69

8:28 Pharaoh said, “I will release you70 so that you may sacrifice71 to the Lord your God in the desert. Only you must not go very far.72 Do73 pray for me.”

8:29 Moses said, “I am going to go out74 from you and pray to the Lord, and the swarms of flies will go away from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people tomorrow. Only do not let Pharaoh deal falsely again75 by not releasing76 the people to sacrifice to the Lord.” 8:30 So Moses went out from Pharaoh and prayed to the Lord, 8:31 and the Lord did as Moses asked77—he removed the swarms of flies from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people. Not one remained! 8:32 But Pharaoh hardened78 his heart this time also and did not release the people.