16 “So ait shall 1serve as a sign on your hand and as 2phylacteries 3on your forehead, for with a 4powerful hand the Lord brought us out of Egypt.”

God Leads the People

17 Now when Pharaoh had let the people go, God did not lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines, even though it was near; for God said, “aThe people might change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt.”

18 Hence God led the people around by the way of the wilderness to the 1Red Sea; and the sons of Israel went up ain martial array from the land of Egypt.

19 Moses took athe bones of Joseph with him, for he had made the sons of Israel solemnly swear, saying, “God will surely 1take care of you, and you shall carry my bones from here with you.”

20 Then they set out from aSuccoth and camped in Etham on the edge of the wilderness.

21 aThe Lord was going before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them on the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, that they might 1travel by day and by night.

22 1He adid not take away the pillar of cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.