The Message Bible MSG
New International Version NIV
21 God said to Moses: "Stretch your hand to the skies. Let darkness descend on the land of Egypt - a darkness so dark you can touch it."
21
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward the sky so that darkness spreads over Egypt—darkness that can be felt.”
22 Moses stretched out his hand to the skies. Thick darkness descended on the land of Egypt for three days.
22
So Moses stretched out his hand toward the sky, and total darkness covered all Egypt for three days.
23 Nobody could see anybody. For three days no one could so much as move. Except for the Israelites: they had light where they were living.
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.
24 Pharaoh called in Moses: "Go and worship God. Leave your flocks and herds behind. But go ahead and take your children."
24
Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and said, “Go, worship the LORD. Even your women and children may go with you; only leave your flocks and herds behind.”
25 But Moses said, "You have to let us take our sacrificial animals and offerings with us so we can sacrifice them in worship to our God.
25
But Moses said, “You must allow us to have sacrifices and burnt offerings to present to the LORD our God.
26 Our livestock has to go with us with not a hoof left behind; they are part of the worship of our God. And we don't know just what will be needed until we get there."
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 God kept Pharaoh stubborn as ever. He wouldn't agree to release them.
27
But the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he was not willing to let them go.
28 Pharaoh said to Moses: "Get out of my sight! And watch your step. I don't want to ever see you again. If I lay eyes on you again, you're dead."
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 Moses said, "Have it your way. You won't see my face again."
29
“Just as you say,” Moses replied. “I will never appear before you again.”
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.