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With a cloud you led them in daytime,
1 and at night you lighted their way with fire.
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At Mount Sinai you came down from heaven;
2 you spoke to your people and gave them good laws and sound teachings.
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You taught them to keep your Sabbaths holy, and through your servant Moses you gave them your laws.
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"When they were hungry, you gave them bread from heaven,
3 and water from a rock when they were thirsty. You told them to take control of the land which you had promised to give them.
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But our ancestors grew proud and stubborn
4 and refused to obey your commands.
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They refused to obey; they forgot all you did;
5 they forgot the miracles you had performed. In their pride they chose a leader to take them back to slavery in Egypt. But you are a God who forgives; you are gracious and loving, slow to be angry. Your mercy is great; you did not forsake them.
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They made an idol in the shape of a bull-calf
6 and said it was the god who led them from Egypt! How much they insulted you, Lord!
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But you did not abandon them there in the desert,
7 for your mercy is great. You did not take away the cloud or the fire that showed them the path by day and night.
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In your goodness you told them what they should do; you fed them manna and gave them water to drink.
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Through forty years in the desert you provided all that they needed; their clothing never wore out, and their feet were not swollen with pain.
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"You let them conquer nations and kingdoms,
8 lands that bordered their own. They conquered the land of Heshbon, where Sihon ruled, and the land of Bashan, where Og was king.