Then the LORD said to Moses, “I will bring yet one more plague on Pharaoh and on Egypt; ^aafter that he will let you go. When he lets you go, he will most certainly drive you out of here completely. 2 Speak so that all of the people of Israel may hear, and tell ^aevery man to ask from his neighbor, and every woman to ask from her neighbor, articles of silver, and articles of gold.” 3 ^aThe LORD gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. ^bMoreover, the man Moses was greatly esteemed in the land of Egypt, both in the sight of Pharaoh’s servants and in the sight of the people.

4 Then Moses said, “Thus says the LORD: ‘At ^amidnight I am going out into the midst of Egypt, 5 and ^aall the firstborn in the land the pride, hope, and joy of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne, to the firstborn of the slave girl who is behind the hand-mill, and all the firstborn of cattle as well. 6 There shall be ^aa great cry of heartache and sorrow throughout the land of Egypt, such as has never been before and such as shall never be again. 7 ^aBut not even a dog will ¹threaten any of the Israelites, whether man or animal, so that you may know without any doubt and acknowledge how the LORD makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel.’ 8 ^aAll these servants of yours will come down to me and bow down before me, saying, ‘Get out, you and all the people who follow you.’ After that I will leave.” ^bAnd he left Pharaoh in the heat of anger.

9 Then the LORD said to Moses, “^aPharaoh will not listen to you, so ^bthat My wonders (miracles) may be multiplied in the land of Egypt.” 10 ^aMoses and Aaron did all these wonders (miracles) before Pharaoh; yet ^bthe LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he did not let the Israelites go out of his land.