14 Then the Lord said to Moses, ² “Tell the Israelites to turn back and encamp near Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol^(A) and the sea. They are to encamp by the sea, directly opposite Baal Zephon.^{(B) 3} Pharaoh will think, ‘The Israelites are wandering around the land in confusion, hemmed in by the desert.’ ⁴ And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart,^(C) and he will pursue them.^(D) But I will gain glory^(E) for myself through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord.”^(F) So the Israelites did this.

⁸ The Lord hardened the heart^(A) of Pharaoh king of Egypt, so that he pursued the Israelites, who were marching out boldly.^(B)

¹⁵ Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me?^(A) Tell the Israelites to move on. ¹⁶ Raise your staff^(B) and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water^(C) so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground. ¹⁷ I will harden the hearts^(D) of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them.^(E) And I will gain glory through Pharaoh and all his army, through his chariots and his horsemen. ¹⁸ The Egyptians will know that I am the Lord^(F) when I gain glory through Pharaoh, his chariots and his horsemen.”

¹⁹ Then the angel of God,^(G) who had been traveling in front of Israel’s army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud^(H) also moved from in front and stood behind^(I) them, ²⁰ coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel. Throughout the night the cloud brought darkness^(J) to the one side and light to the other side; so neither went near the other all night long.