²⁴ During the morning watch, the Lord looked down at the Egyptian forces from the pillar of fire^(A) and cloud, and threw the Egyptian forces into confusion.

The People’s Reaction

¹⁸ All the people witnessed^[a] the thunder and lightning, the sound of the ram’s horn, and the mountain surrounded by smoke. When the people saw it^[b] they trembled and stood at a distance.^{(A) 19} ‘You speak to us, and we will listen,’ they said to Moses, ‘but don’t let God speak to us, or we will die.’^(B)

²⁰ Moses responded to the people, ‘Don’t be afraid, for God has come to test you, so that you will fear him and will not^[c] sin.’^(C)