Exodus 8:21

19 “This is the finger of God,” the magicians said to Pharaoh. But Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, just as the LORD had said.

20 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Get up early in the morning, and when Pharaoh goes out to the water, stand before him and tell him that this is what the LORD says: ‘Let My people go, so that they may worship Me.

But if you will not let My people go, I will send swarms of flies upon you and your officials and your people and your houses. The houses of the Egyptians and even the ground where they stand will be full of flies.

22 But on that day I will give special treatment to the land of Goshen, where My people live; no swarms of flies will be found there. In this way you will know that I, the LORD, am in the land.

23 I will make a distinction between My people and your people. This sign will take place tomorrow.’”

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
But if you will not let My people go, I will send swarms of flies upon you and your officials and your people and your houses. The houses of the Egyptians and even the ground where they stand will be full of flies.
KJV
Else, if thou wilt not let my people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies upon thee, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people, and into thy houses: and the houses of the Egyptians shall be full of swarms of flies, and also the ground whereon they are.
WEB
Else, if you will not let my people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies on you, and on your servants, and on your people, and into your houses. The houses of the Egyptians shall be full of swarms of flies, and also the ground they are on.
ASV
Else, if thou wilt not let my people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies upon thee, and upon they servants, and upon thy people, and into thy houses: and the houses of the Egyptians shall be full of swarms of flies, and also the ground whereon they are.
DARBY
For, if thou do not let my people go, behold, I will send dog-flies upon thee, and upon thy bondmen, and upon thy people, and into thy houses; and the houses of the Egyptians shall be full of dog-flies, and also the ground on which they are.
BLB
For if you will not send out My people, behold, I am sending on you and on your servants and on your people and into your houses the swarm. And the houses of Egypt shall be full of the swarm, and also the ground on which they [are].
ÅB
For dersom du ikke lar mitt folk fare, da sender jeg fluesvermer over deg og dine tjenere og ditt folk og dine hus, og egypternes hus skal fylles av fluesvermene, ja endog jorden de står på.
OTB
Hvis du nekter å la mitt folk dra, vil jeg sende svermer av fluer over deg, dine embetsmenn, ditt folk og inn i dine hus. Husene til egypterne vil være fulle av fluer, og til og med bakken vil være dekket av dem.
B1930
For dersom du ikke lar mitt folk fare, da sender jeg fluesvermer over dig og dine tjenere og ditt folk og dine hus, og egypternes hus skal fylles av fluesvermene, ja endog jorden de står på.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references