The Fourth Plague: Flies

Then the LORD said to Moses,“Get up early in the morning, and when Pharaoh vvv 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][fn] upon you and your officials and your people and your houses. The houses of the Egyptians 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, where My people live; no swarms [of flies] will be [found] there. In this way you will know that I, the LORD, am in the land. 23 I will make a distinction[fn] between My people and your people. This sign will take place tomorrow.’ ”

24 

And the LORD did so. Thick swarms [of flies] poured into Pharaoh’s palace and into the houses of his officials. Throughout Egypt the land was ruined by swarms [of flies].

25 

Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said,“Go, sacrifice to your God within this land.”

26 

But Moses replied,“It would not be right to do that, because the sacrifices we offer to the LORD our God would be detestable to the Egyptians. 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 as He commands us

28 

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.”

29 

“As soon as I leave you,” Moses said,“I will pray to the LORD, so that tomorrow the swarms [of flies] will depart from Pharaoh 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 left Pharaoh and prayed to the LORD, 31 and the LORD did as Moses requested. He removed the swarms [of flies] from Pharaoh and his officials and his people; not one [fly] remained. 32 But Pharaoh hardened his heart this time as well, and he would not let the people go. 9