Study Desk

But require of them the same quota of bricks as before; do not reduce it. For they are lazy; that is why they are crying out, 'Let us go and sacrifice to our God.'

So the people scattered all over the land of Egypt to gather stubble for straw.

"May the LORD look upon you and judge you," the foremen said, "for you have made us a stench before Pharaoh and his officials; you have placed in their hand a sword to kill us!"

But the LORD said to Moses, "Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh, for because of My mighty hand he will let them go; because of My strong hand he will drive them out of his land."

So all the Egyptians dug around the Nile for water to drink, because they could not drink the water from the river.

Moses said to Pharaoh, "You may have the honor over me. When shall I pray for you and your officials and your people that the frogs (except for those in the Nile) may be taken away from you and your houses?"

After Moses and Aaron had left Pharaoh, Moses cried out to the LORD for help with the frogs that He had brought against Pharaoh.

Pharaoh answered, "I will let you go and sacrifice to the LORD your God in the wilderness, but you must not go very far. Now pray for me."

For by this time I could have stretched out My hand and struck you and your people with a plague to wipe you off the earth.

But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display to you My power, and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth.

Pray to the LORD, for there has been enough of God's thunder and hail. I will let you go; you do not need to stay any longer."

But as for you and your officials, I know that you still do not fear the LORD our God."

Then the LORD said to Moses, "Go to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his officials, that I may perform these miraculous signs of Mine among them,

"We will go with our young and old," Moses replied. "We will go with our sons and daughters, and with our flocks and herds, for we must hold a feast to the LORD."

So Moses stretched out his hand toward heaven, and total darkness covered all the land of Egypt for three days.

No one could see each other, and for three days no one left his place. Yet all the Israelites had light in their dwellings.

Even our livestock must go with us; not a hoof will be left behind, for we will need some of them to worship the LORD our God, and we will not know how we are to worship the LORD until we arrive."

"Depart from me!" Pharaoh said to Moses. "Make sure you never see my face again, for on the day you see my face, you will die."

Now announce to the people that men and women alike should ask their neighbors for articles of silver and gold."

"This month is the beginning of months for you; it shall be the first month of your year.