16. The cloud stayed over the Holy Tent all the time. And at night the cloud looked like fire.
17. When the cloud moved from its place over the Holy Tent, the Israelites followed it. When the cloud stopped, that is the place where the Israelites camped.
18. This was the way the Lord showed the Israelites when to move and when to stop and set up camp. While the cloud stayed over the Holy Tent, the people continued to camp in that same place.
19. Sometimes the cloud would stay over the Holy Tent for a long time. The Israelites obeyed the Lord and did not move.
20. Sometimes the cloud was over the Holy Tent for only a few days. So the people obeyed the Lord’S command—they followed the cloud when it moved.