The Waters of Marah and Elim

22 Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea and they went into the Desert(A) of Shur.(B) For three days they traveled in the desert without finding water.(C) 23 When they came to Marah, they could not drink its water because it was bitter. (That is why the place is called Marah.[a](D)) 24 So the people grumbled(E) against Moses, saying, “What are we to drink?”(F)

25 Then Moses cried out(G) to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a piece of wood. He threw(H) it into the water, and the water became fit to drink.

There the Lord issued a ruling and instruction for them and put them to the test.(I) 26 He said, “If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep(J) all his decrees,(K) I will not bring on you any of the diseases(L) I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals(M) you.”

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Footnotes

  1. Exodus 15:23 Marah means bitter.

Bitter Waters Made Sweet

22 So Moses brought Israel from the Red Sea; then they went out into the Wilderness of (A)Shur. And they went three days in the wilderness and found no (B)water. 23 Now when they came to (C)Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter. Therefore the name of it was called [a]Marah. 24 And the people (D)complained against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?” 25 So he cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a tree. (E)When he cast it into the waters, the waters were made sweet.

There He (F)made a statute and an [b]ordinance for them, and there (G)He tested them, 26 and said, (H)“If you diligently heed the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the (I)diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the Lord (J)who heals you.”

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Footnotes

  1. Exodus 15:23 Lit. Bitter
  2. Exodus 15:25 regulation