16
"But our ancestors were proud and stubborn and did not obey your commands.
17
They refused to listen; they forgot the miracles you did for them. So they became stubborn and turned against you, choosing a leader to take them back to slavery. But you are a forgiving God. You are kind and full of mercy. You do not become angry quickly, and you have great love. So you did not leave them.
18
Our ancestors even made an idol of a calf for themselves. They said, 'This is your god, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.' They spoke against you.
19
"You have great mercy, so you did not leave them in the desert. The pillar of cloud guided them by day, and the pillar of fire led them at night, lighting the way they were to go.
20
You gave your good Spirit to teach them. You gave them manna to eat and water when they were thirsty.
21
You took care of them for forty years in the desert; they needed nothing. Their clothes did not wear out, and their feet did not swell.
22
"You gave them kingdoms and nations; you gave them more land. and the country of Og king of Bashan.
23
You made their children as many as the stars in the sky, and you brought them into the land that you told their fathers to enter and take over.
24
So their children went into the land and took over. The Canaanites lived there, but you defeated them for our ancestors. You handed over to them the Canaanites, their kings, and the people of the land. Our ancestors could do what they wanted with them.
25
They captured strong, walled cities and fertile land. They took over houses full of good things, wells that were already dug, vineyards, olive trees, and many fruit trees. They ate until they were full and grew fat; they enjoyed your great goodness.
26
"But they were disobedient and turned against you and ignored your teachings. Your prophets warned them to come back to you, but they killed those prophets and spoke against you.