But when Pharaohsawthat the rainand the hailand the thunderhad ceased,he sinnedagainand hardenedhis heart,he and his servants.
Now in the timeof his distressthissameKingAhazbecameyetmoreunfaithfulto the LORD.
Moreover, he did not humblehimself beforethe LORDas his fatherManassehhad done,but Amonmultipliedguilt.
He alsorebelledagainst KingNebuchadnezzarwhohad made him swear[allegiance] by God.But he stiffenedhis neckand hardenedhis heartagainstturningto the LORDGodof Israel.
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.
Then the LORDsaidto Moses,"Pharaoh'sheartis stubborn;he refusesto letthe peoplego.
But when Pharaohsawthat there was relief,he hardenedhis heartand did not listento them, as the LORDhad said.
So Moseswentout of the cityfrom Pharaoh,and spreadout his handsto the LORD;and the thunderand the hailceased,and rainnolonger pouredon the earth.
Pharaoh'sheartwas hardened,and he did not letthe sonsof Israelgo,justas the LORDhad spokenthroughMoses.
Becausethe sentenceagainst an evildeedis not executedquickly,thereforethe heartsof the sonsof menamong them are givenfullyto doevil.
"Whythen do you hardenyour heartsas the Egyptiansand Pharaohhardenedtheir hearts?WhenHe had severelydealtwith them, did they not allow the people to go,and they departed?