"But I knowthat the kingof Egyptwill not permityou to go,exceptunder compulsion.
But the LORDhardenedPharaoh'sheart,and he did not letthe sonsof Israelgo.
Mosesand AaronperformedallthesewondersbeforePharaoh;yet the LORDhardenedPharaoh'sheart,and he did not letthe sonsof Israelgoout of his land.
Then the LORDsaidto Moses,"Pharaohwill not listento you, sothat My wonderswill be multipliedin the landof Egypt."
It cameabout, whenPharaohwas stubbornabout lettingus go,that the LORDkilledeveryfirstbornin the landof Egypt,boththe firstbornof manand the firstbornof beast.Therefore,I sacrificeto the LORDthe males,the firstoffspringof everywomb,but everyfirstbornof my sonsI redeem.'
The LORDsaidto Moses,"When you gobackto Egyptseethat you performbeforePharaohallthe wonderswhichI have putin your power;but I will hardenhis heartso that he will not letthe peoplego.
But Pharaohsaid,"Whois the LORDthat I should obeyHis voiceto letIsraelgo?I do not knowthe LORD,and besides,I will not letIsraelgo."
Then the LORDsaidto Moses,"Nowyou shall seewhatI will doto Pharaoh;for under compulsionhe will letthem go,and under compulsionhe will drivethem out of his land."
Pharaohsaid,"I will letyou go,that you may sacrificeto the LORDyour Godin the wilderness;onlyyou shall not govery faraway. Makesupplicationfor me."
Pharaoh'sheartwas hardened,and he did not letthe sonsof Israelgo,justas the LORDhad spokenthroughMoses.
Pharaohsent,and behold,there was not evenoneof the livestockof Israeldead.But the heartof Pharaohwas hardened,and he did not letthe peoplego.
