e climate of Egypt had never suffered before, nor was it like to that
which falls in other climates in winter time, [26] but was larger than
that which falls in the middle of spring to those that dwell in the
northern and north-western regions. This hail broke down their boughs
laden with fruit. After this a tribe of locusts consumed the seed which
was not hurt by the hail; so that to the Egyptians all hopes of the
future fruits of the ground were entirely lost.

5. One would think the forementioned calamities might have been
sufficient for one that was only foolish, without wickedness, to make
him wise, and to make him Sensible what was for his advantage. But
Pharaoh, led not so much by his folly as by his wickedness, even when
he saw the cause of his miseries, he still contested with God, and
willfully deserted the cause of virtue; so he bid Moses take the Hebrews
away, with their wives and children, to leave their cattle behind,
since their own cattle were destroyed. But when Moses said that what he
desired was unjust, since they were obliged to offer sacrifices to God
of those cattle, and the time being prolonged on this account, a thick
darkness, without the least light, spread itself over the Egyptians,
whereby their sight being obstructed, and their breathing hindered by
the thickness of the air, they died miserably, and under a terror lest
they should be swallowed up by the dark cloud. Besides this, when the
darkness, after three days and as many nights, was dissipated, and when
Pharaoh did not still repent and let the Hebrews go, Moses came to him
and said, "How long wilt thou be disobedient to the command of God? for
he enjoins thee to let the Hebrews go; nor is there any other way of
being freed from the calamities are under, unless you do so." But the
king angry at what he said, and threatened to cut off his head if he
came any more to trouble him these matters. Hereupon Moses said he not
speak to him any more about them, for he himself, together with the
principal men among the Egyptians, should desire the Hebrews away. So
when Moses had said this, he his way.

6. But when God had signified, that with one plague he would compel the
Egyptians to let Hebrews go, he commanded Moses to tell the people that
they should have a sacrifice ready, and they should prepare themselves
on the tenth day of the month Xanthicus, against the fourteenth, [which
month is called by the Egyptians Pharmuth, Nisan by the Hebrews;