The Exodus page 7

Because of Egypt’s sin, the Lord killed all the first born in the land of Egypt, all except his chosen people, the Children of Israel.

Then at midnight it happened. The Lord killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh, who sat on his throne, to the firstborn of the captive in the dungeon; even all the firstborn of cattle.

And Pharaoh and his servants and all the Egyptians woke up in the night; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a single house where there was not one dead.

But those inside the houses whose door posts were marked with the blood of the lamb were saved.

Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, “Wake everyone up. You and the Children of Israel must get away from my people. Go, serve the Lord just as you wanted.”

And the Egyptians urged the Hebrews to hurry, trying to send them out of the land as quickly as possible, crying out, “If you don’t leave, we are all going to be dead!” The Egyptians even gave their jewels and gold to the departing Hebrews.

And the Children of Israel—numbering now in the millions—left, taking with them flocks and herds.

Just as God had told Abraham, Abraham’s descendants had been slaves, and they came out of bondage in the fourth generation with great wealth. So this huge nation, which God called His “firstborn” left the land of Egypt and camped on the edge of the wilderness.

And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Soon Pharaoh will think the Children of Israel have been ensnared by the desert. And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will follow after you; but I will be honored, so that the Egyptians may know that I am the Lord.”

Then, just as God had said, Pharaoh and his servants again turned against the Hebrews, saying, “Why did we let the slaves of Israel go?”

And Pharaoh took 600 chosen chariots, and all the other chariots of Egypt, and his horsemen and his army and pursued the Hebrews, overtaking them as they encamped with their backs to the Red Sea.