Then the Lord said to Moses: Stretch out your hand toward the sky, that over the land of Egypt there may be such darkness that one can feel it.

So Moses stretched out his hand toward the sky, and there was dense darkness throughout the land of Egypt for three days.

People could not see one another, nor could they get up from where they were, for three days. But all the Israelites had light where they lived.

Pharaoh then summoned Moses and Aaron and said, “Go, serve the Lord. Only your flocks and herds will be detained. Even your little ones may go with you.”

But Moses replied, “You also must give us sacrifices and burnt offerings to make to the Lord, our God. "

"Our livestock also must go with us. Not an animal must be left behind, for some of them we will select for service to the Lord, our God; but we will not know with which ones we are to serve the Lord until we arrive there.”

But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he was unwilling to let them go.

Pharaoh said to Moses, “Leave me, and see to it that you do not see my face again! For the day you do see my face you will die!”

Moses replied, “You are right! I will never see your face again.”