³⁸ The cloud of the Lord was over the tabernacle by day, and fire in the cloud at night, in the sight of the whole house of Israel in all the stages of their journey.

The Fiery Cloud. ¹⁵ On the day when the tabernacle was erected, the cloud^[a] covered the tabernacle, the tent of the covenant; but from evening until morning it took on the appearance of fire over the tabernacle.^{(A) 16} It was always so: during the day the cloud covered the tabernacle and at night had the appearance of fire. ¹⁷ Whenever the cloud rose from the tent, the Israelites would break camp; wherever the cloud settled, the Israelites would pitch camp.^{(B) 18} At the direction of the Lord the Israelites broke camp, and at the Lord’s direction they pitched camp.^(C) As long as the cloud stayed over the tabernacle, they remained in camp.

¹⁹ Even when the cloud lingered many days over the tabernacle, the Israelites kept the charge of the Lord and would not move on. ²⁰ Yet if it happened the cloud was over the tabernacle only for a few days, at the direction of the Lord they stayed in camp; and at the Lord’s direction they broke camp. ²¹ If it happened the cloud remained there only from evening until morning, when the cloud rose in the morning, they would break camp. Whether the cloud lifted during the day or the night they would then break camp. ²² Whether the cloud lingered over the tabernacle for two days or for a month or longer, the Israelites remained in camp and did not break camp; but when it lifted, they broke camp.

³³ who journeys before you to find you a place to camp—by night in the fire, and by day in the cloud, to show you the way to go.^(A)

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