Exodus 13:17-18

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition

The Pillars of Cloud and Fire

¹⁷ When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was nearer; for God thought, “If the people face war, they may change their minds and return to Egypt.” ¹⁸ So God led the people by the roundabout way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea.^[a] The Israelites went up out of the land of Egypt prepared for battle.