Exodus 10

The Eighth Plague: Locusts

1 The Lord told Moses, ‘Go back to Pharaoh. I have hardened his heart and his officials’ hearts so I can show off My power through these signs.’

2 ‘And so you can tell your kids and grandkids how I handled Egypt and performed My miracles. Then you all will know I am the Lord.’

3 Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said, ‘The Lord, the God of the Hebrews, says: How long are you going to refuse to humble yourself before Me, Let My people go so they can worship Me.’

4 ‘If you do not, tomorrow I will send locusts into your land.’

5 ‘They will cover everything, so thick you will not even see the ground. They will eat whatever is left after the hailstorm, every plant, every tree.’

6 ‘Your houses, your officials’ houses, and all of Egypt will be filled with locusts. It will be like nothing anyone is ever seen before.’ Then Moses turned and left Pharaoh.

7 Pharaoh’s officials said, ‘Listen, how long is this guy is going to be a problem, Let the people go worship their Lord. Do you not see Egypt is already wrecked,’

8 So Pharaoh called Moses and Aaron back and said, ‘Fine, go worship the Lord. But who all is going,’

9 Moses said, ‘We are taking everyone, young, old, sons, daughters, flocks, and herds. We are all going to celebrate a festival to the Lord.’

10 Pharaoh snapped, ‘The Lord would have to be with you if I let all of you go! No way! I see what you are trying to pull.’

11 ‘Only the men can go worship the Lord.’ Then Pharaoh kicked Moses and Aaron out.

12 The Lord told Moses, ‘Stretch out your hand over Egypt, and locusts will swarm the land, eating everything green that is left.’

13 Moses stretched out his staff, and the Lord sent an east wind that blew across the land all day and night. By morning, the locusts had arrived.

14 They swarmed Egypt and covered everything, more locusts than anyone had ever seen before or would ever see again.

15 They ate every plant, every tree, and everything green the hail had left behind. The whole land was wrecked, nothing green was left anywhere in Egypt.

16 Pharaoh quickly called for Moses and Aaron and said, ‘I have sinned against the Lord your God and against you.’

17 ‘Now forgive my sin just this once, and pray to the Lord to take away this death from me.’

18 So Moses left Pharaoh and prayed to the Lord.

19 The Lord changed the wind, blowing it west, and it carried the locusts into the Red Sea. Not a single locust was left in Egypt.

20 But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he still would not let the Israelites go.

The Ninth Plague: Darkness

21 The Lord told Moses, ‘Stretch out your hand toward the sky, and darkness will cover Egypt, so dark it can be felt.’

22 Moses stretched out his hand, and darkness covered Egypt for three days.

23 No one could see anyone else or even move around, but the Israelites had light where they lived.

24 Pharaoh called Moses and said, ‘Fine, go worship the Lord. Take your women and kids, but leave your flocks and herds.’

25 Moses said, ‘Nah, we need our animals. We are going to use them to worship the Lord. We do not know what we will need until we get there.’

26 ‘Not a hoof will be left behind. We are taking everything to serve the Lord.’

27 But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart again, and he would not let them go.

28 Pharaoh snapped, ‘Get out of my face! Do not ever come back! The day I see you again, you are dead!’

29 Moses said, ‘You got it. You will never see me again.’