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The Red Sea

19But the ungodly were assailed to the end by pitiless anger,
for God^* knew in advance even their future actions:
² how, though they themselves had permitted^* your people to depart
and hastily sent them out,
they would change their minds and pursue them.
³ For while they were still engaged in mourning,
and were lamenting at the graves of their dead,
they reached another foolish decision,
and pursued as fugitives those whom they had begged and compelled to leave.
⁴ For the fate they deserved drew them on to this end,
and made them forget what had happened,
in order that they might fill up the punishment that their torments still lacked,
⁵ and that your people might experience^* an incredible journey,
but they themselves might meet a strange death.

God Guides and Protects His People

⁶ For the whole creation in its nature was fashioned anew,
complying with your commands,
so that your children^* might be kept unharmed.
⁷ The cloud was seen overshadowing the camp,
and dry land emerging where water had stood before,
an unhindered way out of the Red Sea,
and a grassy plain out of the raging waves,
⁸ where those protected by your hand passed through as one nation,
after gazing on marvellous wonders.

A New Harmony in Nature

¹⁸ For the elements changed^* places with one another,
as on a harp the notes vary the nature of the rhythm,
while each note remains the same.^*
This may be clearly inferred from the sight of what took place.
¹⁹ For land animals were transformed into water creatures,
and creatures that swim moved over to the land.
²⁰ Fire even in water retained its normal power,
and water forgot its fire-quenching nature.
²¹ Flames, on the contrary, failed to consume
the flesh of perishable creatures that walked among them,
nor did they melt^* the crystalline, quick-melting kind of heavenly food.

Conclusion

²² For in everything, O Lord, you have exalted and glorified your people,
and you have not neglected to help them at all times and in all places.