(from the One New Man Bible translated by William Morford)
13:17. And it was, when Pharaoh had sent the people out, that God did not lead them through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near, for God said, “Perhaps the people will change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt.” 18. But God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Reed Sea, and the children of Israel went up armed out of the land of Egypt. 19. And Moses took Joseph’s bones with him, for he had strictly sworn the children of Israel saying, “God will surely visit you and you will carry up my bones away from here with you.” 20. And they took their journey from Sukkot and camped in Itam, at the edge of the wilderness. 21. And the LORD* went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them the way, and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light, to go by day and night. 22. He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day, or the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.
Crossing the Reed Sea
14.1. And the LORD* spoke to Moses saying, 2. “Speak to the children of Israel, to turn and camp before Pi Hakhirot, between Migdol and the sea, over against Baal-Zephon: camp by the sea before it. 3. For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, ‘They are entangled in the land, the wilderness has shut them in.’ 4. And I shall harden Pharaoh’s heart so he will follow after them, and I shall be honored by Pharaoh and by his entire army, so the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD*.” And they did so.
14:5. And it was told the king of Egypt that the people fled, and the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants was turned against the people and they said, “Why have we done this, that we have let Israel go from serving us?” 6. And he made his chariot ready and took his people with him. 7. And he took six hundred chosen chariots and all the chariots of Egypt, and captains over every one of them. 8. And the LORD* strengthened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt and he pursued after the children of Israel, and the children of Israel went out with a high hand. 9. But the Egyptians pursued after them, all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, his horsemen and his army, and overtook them camping by the sea, beside Pi Hakhirot, before Baal Zephon.
14:10. And when Pharaoh drew near, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them, and they were greatly afraid, and the children of Israel cried out to the LORD*. 11. And they said to Moses, “Have you taken us away to die in the wilderness because there were no graves in Egypt? Why have you dealt like this with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt? 12. Is this not the word that we spoke to you in Egypt saying, Let us alone, so we can serve the Egyptians? For it is better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.” 13. And Moses said to the people, “Do not be in awe! Stand still! See the salvation of the LORD*, (2 Chr.20:17) which He will show you today, for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will see them again no more forever.
14. The LORD* will fight for you, and you will hold your peace.” (Deut. 1:30, 3:22)
14:15. And the LORD* said to Moses, “Why are you crying to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward, 16. and lift up your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, and the children of Israel will go through the midst of the sea on dry ground. 17. And I AM, behold, I shall strengthen the hearts of the Egyptians and they will follow them and I shall get honor for Myself from Pharaoh, and from his whole army, his chariots, and his horsemen. 18. And the Egyptians will know that I AM the LORD*, when I have gotten honor for Myself from Pharaoh on his chariots and his horsemen.”
14:19. And the angel of God, who went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them, and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face and stood behind them. 20. And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these so that the one did not come near the other all night. 21. And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the LORD* caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. 22. And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea on the dry ground, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. 23. And the Egyptians pursued and went in after them to the midst of the sea, all Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots, and his horsemen. 24. And it was, that in the morning watch the LORD* looked at the army of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of cloud, and caused confusion with the army of the Egyptians, 25. and took off their chariot wheels, so they drove them heavily so that the Egyptians said, “Let us flee from the face of Israel, for the LORD* is fighting for them against the Egyptians.”
14:26. And the LORD* said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea, so the waters will come again upon the Egyptians, their chariots, and their horsemen.”
27. And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to its strength when the morning appeared. And the Egyptians fled against it and the LORD* overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea. 28. And the waters returned and covered the chariots, the horsemen, and the entire army of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them. There remained not so much as one of them. 29. But the children of Israel walked on dry land in the midst of the sea and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. 30. Thus the LORD* saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the seashore. 31. And Israel saw that great work which the LORD* did upon the Egyptians and the people revered the LORD* and believed the LORD* and his servant Moses.
Victory Song
15.1. Then Moses and the children of Israel sang this song to the LORD* (Rev. 15:3) and spoke, saying: “I shall sing to the LORD*, for He has triumphed gloriously, He has thrown the horse and his rider into the sea. 2. A strong song and melody for the LORD* has become my salvation. This is my God and I shall praise Him; the God of my father and I will exalt Him! 3. The LORD* is a Man of War! The LORD* is His name. 4. He has cast Pharaoh’s chariots and his army into the sea, his chosen captains also are drowned in the Reed Sea. 5. The depths have covered them, they sank to the bottom like a stone. 6. Your right hand, LORD*, has become glorious in power. Your right hand, LORD*, has dashed the enemy in pieces. 7. And in the greatness of Your excellency You have overthrown those who rose up against You. You sent forth Your wrath, which consumed them as stubble. 8. And with the blast of Your nostrils the waters were gathered together, the floods stood upright as a heap, the depths were solidified in the heart of the sea. 9. The enemy said, ‘I shall pursue, I shall overtake, I shall divide the plunder. My lust will be satisfied upon them. I shall draw my sword, my hand will destroy them.’ 10. You did blow with your wind, the sea covered them: they sank like lead in the mighty waters. 11. Who is like You, LORD*, among the gods?! Who is like You, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?! (Ps. 71:19) 12. You stretched out Your right hand, the earth swallowed them. 13. You in Your loving kindness have led out the people that You have redeemed. You have guided them in Your strength to Your Holy Habitation. 14. The people will hear and be in awe. Sorrow will take hold of the inhabitants of Philistia. 15. Then the chiefs of Edom will be amazed. Trembling will take hold of the mighty men of Moab. All the inhabitants of Canaan will melt away. 16. Fear and terror will fall on them. By the greatness of Your arm they will be as still as a stone, until Your people cross over, LORD*, until the people You have purchased cross over. 17. You will bring them in and plant them in the mountain of Your inheritance, the place, LORD*, You have made for Yourself to dwell in, the Sanctuary, O Lord, Your hands have established. 18. The LORD* will reign forever and ever. (Rev. 11:15) 19. For the horse of Pharaoh went into the sea with his chariots and with his horsemen, and again the LORD* brought the waters of the sea upon them, but the children of Israel went on dry land in the midst of the sea.”
Miriam’s Song
15:20. And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a tambourine in her hand and all the women went out after her with tambourines and with dances. 21. And Miriam sang to them, “Sing to the LORD*, for He has triumphed gloriously. He has thrown the horse and his rider into the sea.”
15:22. So Moses brought Israel from the Reed Sea and they went out into the wilderness of Shur and they went three days in the wilderness and found no water.
23. And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah. 24. And the people murmured against Moses saying, “What will we drink?” 25. And he cried to the LORD*, and the LORD* showed him a tree and he cast it into the waters, and the waters were made sweet. He made a statute and an ordinance there for them and there he proved to them 26. and said, “If you will diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD* your God and will do that which is right in His sight and will give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I shall put none of these diseases upon you, which I have brought upon the Egyptians, for I AM the LORD* Who heals you.”