Exodus 14:5-14

Complete Jewish Bible

⁵ When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his servants had a change of heart toward the people. They said, “What have we done, letting Isra’el stop being our slaves?” ⁶ So he prepared his chariots and took his people with him — ⁷ he took 600 first-quality chariots, as well as all the other chariots in Egypt, along with their commanders. ⁸ Adonai made Pharaoh hardhearted, and he pursued the people of Isra’el, as they left boldly. (ii) ⁹ The Egyptians went after them, all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, with his cavalry and army, and overtook them as they were encamped by the sea, by Pi-Hachirot, in front of Ba‘al-Tz’fon. ¹⁰ As Pharaoh approached, the people of Isra’el looked up and saw the Egyptians right there, coming after them. In great fear the people of Isra’el cried out to Adonai ¹¹ and said to Moshe, “Was it because there weren’t enough graves in Egypt that you brought us out to die in the desert? Why have you done this to us, bringing us out of Egypt? ¹² Didn’t we tell you in Egypt to let us alone, we’ll just go on being slaves for the Egyptians? It would be better for us to be the Egyptians’ slaves than to die in the desert!” ¹³ Moshe answered the people, “Stop being so fearful! Remain steady, and you will see how Adonai is going to save you. He will do it today — today you have seen the Egyptians, but you will never see them again! ¹⁴ Adonai will do battle for you. Just calm yourselves down!”