1. Then the Lord said to Moses,
2. “Tell the Israelites to turn back and camp in front of Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol and the Red Sea, near Baal Zephon.
3. The king will think that the Israelites are wandering about in the country and are closed in by the desert.
4. I will make him stubborn, and he will pursue you, and my victory over the king and his army will bring me honour. Then the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord.” The Israelites did as they were told.
5. When the king of Egypt was told that the people had escaped, he and his officials changed their minds and said, “What have we done? We have let the Israelites escape, and we have lost them as our slaves!”
6. The king got his war chariot and his army ready.
7. He set out with all his chariots, including the 600 finest, commanded by their officers.
8. The Lord made the king stubborn, and he pursued the Israelites, who were leaving triumphantly.
9. The Egyptian army, with all the horses, chariots, and drivers, pursued them and caught up with them where they were camped by the Red Sea near Pi Hahiroth and Baal Zephon.
10. When the Israelites saw the king and his army marching against them, they were terrified and cried out to the Lord for help.