Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, "Speak to the children of Israel that they turn back and encamp before Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, facing Baal-zephon. Speak to the children of Israel, that they turn and encamp before Pihahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, opposite Baalzephon, where you will camp by the sea.

Pharaoh was informed that the people had fled, and his heart turned against them, saying, "Why have we let Israel go from serving us? He made ready his chariot, taking with him his people and six hundred chosen chariots, along with all the chariots of Egypt, under the command of their captains. The king of Egypt was enraged, and he took six hundred chosen chariots, along with all the chariots of Egypt, and captains over every one of them.

The Lord hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he pursued the Israelites with his entire army; they left with a high hand. The Egyptians pursued after them, all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, his horsemen, and his army, overtaking them as they camped by the sea beside Pihahiroth, before Baalzephon.

When Pharaoh drew near, the Israelites looked up and saw the Egyptians marching after them; they were terrified and cried out to the Lord. They said to Moses, "Because there were no graves in Egypt, have you taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you brought us out of Egypt?" Is not this the word that we did tell you in Egypt, saying, "Let us alone"? Moses told the people, "Do not be afraid; stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For you will never see the Egyptians again.

The Lord will fight on your behalf, and you must remain silent. The Lord said to Moses, "Why do you cry out to me? Tell the Israelites to move forward. Moses was instructed to lift up his staff and stretch out his hand over the sea to divide it. And I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, so they may pursue them, and I will gain honor over Pharaoh and his entire army, including his chariots and horsemen.

The angel of God, who went before the camp of Israel, moved to the rear and positioned himself behind them; the pillar of cloud stood behind them. And it stood between the Egyptian camp and the Israelite camp, a cloud of darkness to them but giving light by night to the Israelites. Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord caused it to recede by a powerful east wind all that night, making dry land of the sea and dividing the waters.

The children of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground, with the waters forming a wall to their right and left. The Egyptians pursued, and went in after them to the midst of the sea, with all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, and his horsemen. In the morning watch, the Lord looked out over the Egyptian host through the pillar of fire and cloud, and he troubled the Egyptian host.

Their chariot wheels were removed, and they fled in panic. The Lord said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand over the sea." Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the Lord caused it to return to its normal state at dawn, while the Egyptians fled in panic and were overwhelmed by the Lord in the midst of the sea.

And the waters returned, covering the chariots and horsemen of Pharaoh's entire host that had followed them into the sea, leaving not a single one behind. The children of Israel walked on dry land in the midst of the sea, with the waters forming a wall to their right and left. Thus the Lord saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and they saw the Egyptians dead on the sea shore.

Israel saw the great work that the Lord did upon the Egyptians, and the people feared the Lord, believed in the Lord, and trusted His servant Moses.