27. The king sent for Moses and Aaron and told them, “Now I have really sinned! My people and I are guilty, and the Lord is right.
28. We can't stand any more of this thunder and hail. Please ask the Lord to make it stop. Your people can go—you don't have to stay in Egypt any longer.”
29. Moses answered, “As soon as I leave the city, I will lift my arms in prayer. When the thunder and hail stop, you will know that the earth belongs to the Lord.
30. But I am certain that neither you nor your officials really fear the Lord God.”
31. Meanwhile, the flax and barley crops had been destroyed by the storm because they were ready to ripen.
32. But the wheat crops ripen later, and they were not damaged.
33. After Moses left the royal palace and the city, he lifted his arms in prayer to the Lord, and the thunder, hail, and drenching rain stopped.
34. When the king realized that the storm was over, he disobeyed once more. He and his officials were so stubborn
35. that he refused to let the Israelites go. This was exactly what the Lord had said would happen.