21 Then Yahweh told Mosheh (Moses), “Raise your hand up toward the sky and let it become dark over all Mitsrayim (Egypt)—darkness that can be felt.” 22 So Mosheh stretched his hand out towards the sky, and a thick darkness was in all Mitsrayim for three days.[ref] 23 No one could see anyone else, and for three days no one was able to go anywhere, yet there was light in the region where the Israelis lived.

24 Then Par’oh (Pharaoh) summoned Mosheh and told him, “Go serve Yahweh. Your children can go with you all, but your flocks and your herds must remain behind.”

25 “On top of that,” Mosheh responded, “you must also give us the sacrifices and offerings to be burnt when we will sacrifice to Yahweh our god. 26 And even our livestock needs to go with us. Not a hoof will be left behind because we’ll choose from them to serve Yahweh our god. You see, we won’t know what we must sacrifice to Yahweh until we arrive there.”

27 But Yahweh caused Par’oh to strengthen his resolve and he wouldn’t agree to let them go. 28 “Get out of here!” Par’oh shouted. “And watch yourself! You’ll never see me again, because if I ever see you again, I’ll have you executed!”

29 “Yes,” Mosheh responded. “It’s just as you say: I’ll never see you again!”