Exodus 13:15-17

Contemporary English Version

¹⁵ The king^[a] stubbornly refused to set us free, so the Lord killed the first-born male of every animal and the first-born son of every Egyptian family. This is why we sacrifice to the Lord every first-born male of every animal and save every first-born son.”

¹⁶ This ceremony will serve the same purpose as a sign on your hand or on your forehead to tell how the Lord's mighty power rescued us from Egypt.

The Lord Leads His People

¹⁷ After the king^[b] had finally let the people go, the Lord did not lead them through Philistine territory,^[c] though that was the shortest way. God had said, “If they are attacked, they may decide to return to Egypt.”