8:25 Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, “Go, sacrifice to your God within the land.” 6 8:26 But Moses said, “That would not be the right thing to do, 7 for the sacrifices we make 8 to the Lord our God would be an abomination 9 to the Egyptians. 10 If we make sacrifices that are an abomination to the Egyptians right before their eyes, 11 will they not stone us? 12 8:27 We must go 13 on a three-day journey 14 into the desert and sacrifice 15 to the Lord our God, just as he is telling us.” 16
8:28 Pharaoh said, “I will release you 17 so that you may sacrifice 18 to the Lord your God in the desert. Only you must not go very far. 19 Do 20 pray for me.”
8:29 Moses said, “I am going to go out 21 from you and pray to the Lord, and the swarms of flies will go away from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people tomorrow. Only do not let Pharaoh deal falsely again 22 by not releasing 23 the people to sacrifice to the Lord.” 8:30 So Moses went out from Pharaoh and prayed to the Lord, 8:31 and the Lord did as Moses asked 24 – he removed the swarms of flies from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people. Not one remained! 8:32 But Pharaoh hardened 25 his heart this time also and did not release the people.