Exodus 13:17-19

New American Standard Bible

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, “^(A)The people might change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt.” ¹⁸ Therefore God led the people around by way of the wilderness to the ^[a]Red Sea; and the sons of Israel went up ^(B)in battle formation from the land of Egypt. ¹⁹ And Moses took ^(C)the bones of Joseph with him, for he had made the sons of Israel solemnly swear, saying, “God will certainly ^[b]take care of you, and you shall carry my bones from here with you.”