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18 The magicians tried to produce gnats using their magic arts, but they could not. And the gnats remained on man and beast. 19 “This is the finger of God {Elohim},” the magicians said to Pharaoh (great house). But Pharaoh’s heart was hardened (stiffened), and he would not listen to them, just as the LORD {YHWH} had said. 20 Then the LORD {YHWH} said to Moses (drawn out), “Get up early in the morning, and when Pharaoh (great house) goes out to the water, stand before him and tell him that this is what the LORD says: ‘Let My people go, so that they may worship Me. 21 But if you will not let My people go, I will send swarms of flies \a noxious mixture/ upon you and your officials and your people and your houses. The houses of the Egyptians (double straits) and even the ground where they stand will be full of flies. 22 But on that day I will give special treatment to the land of Goshen (drawing near), where My people live; no swarms of flies will be found there. In this way you will know that I, the LORD {YHWH}, am in the land. 23 I will make a distinction [I will set redemption] between My people and your people. This sign will take place tomorrow.’” 24 And the LORD {YHWH} did so. Thick swarms of flies poured into Pharaoh’s (great house) palace and into the houses of his officials. Throughout Egypt (land of bondage) the land was ruined by swarms of flies. 25 Then Pharaoh (great house) summoned Moses (drawn out) and Aaron (light bringer) and said, “Go, sacrifice to your⁺ God {Elohehem} within this land.” 26 But Moses (drawn out) replied, “It would not be right to do that, because the sacrifices we offer to the LORD our God {YHWH Elohenu} would be detestable to the Egyptians (land of bondage). If we offer sacrifices that are detestable before the Egyptians, will they not stone us? 27 We must make a three-day journey into the wilderness and sacrifice to the LORD our God {YHWH Elohenu} as He commands us.” 28 Pharaoh (great house) answered, “I will let you⁺ go and sacrifice to the LORD your⁺ God {YHWH Eloheikem} in the wilderness, but you⁺ must not go very far. Now pray for me.” 29 “As soon as I leave you,” Moses (drawn out) said, “I will pray to the LORD {YHWH}, so that tomorrow the swarms of flies will depart from Pharaoh (great house) and his officials and his people. But Pharaoh must not act deceitfully again by refusing to let the people go and sacrifice to the LORD.” 30 Then Moses (drawn out) left Pharaoh (great house) and prayed to the LORD {YHWH}, 31 and the LORD {YHWH} did as Moses (drawn out) requested. He removed the swarms of flies from Pharaoh (great house) and his officials and his people; not one fly remained. 32 But Pharaoh (great house) hardened his heart this time as well, and he would not let the people go. Exodus 8:18-32, Berean Annotated Bible. Public domain.
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