1
But 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.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.