³ the hand^(A) of the Lord will bring a terrible plague^(B) on your livestock in the field—on your horses, donkeys and camels and on your cattle, sheep and goats.

⁷ When the people of Ashdod saw what was happening, they said, “The ark of the god of Israel must not stay here with us, because his hand is heavy on us and on Dagon our god.”

¹¹ So they called together all the rulers^(A) of the Philistines and said, “Send the ark of the god of Israel away; let it go back to its own place, or it^[a] will kill us and our people.” For death had filled the city with panic; God’s hand was very heavy on it.

¹¹ Now the hand of the Lord is against you.^(A) You are going to be blind for a time, not even able to see the light of the sun.”^(B)

Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand.