Nehemiah 9:8-18

8 You found that he was faithful to you, 1 and you made a covenant with him. You promised to give him the land of the Canaanites, the land of the Hittites and the Amorites, the land of the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Girgashites, to be a land where his descendants would live. You kept your promise, because you are faithful.
9 "You saw how our ancestors suffered in Egypt; 2 you heard their call for help at the Red Sea.
10 You worked amazing miracles against the king, 3 against his officials and the people of his land, because you knew how they oppressed your people. You won then the fame you still have today.
11 Through the sea you made a path for your people 4 and led them through on dry ground. Those who pursued them drowned in deep water, as a stone sinks in the raging sea.
12 With a cloud you led them in daytime, 5 and at night you lighted their way with fire.
13 At Mount Sinai you came down from heaven; 6 you spoke to your people and gave them good laws and sound teachings.
14 You taught them to keep your Sabbaths holy, and through your servant Moses you gave them your laws.
15 "When they were hungry, you gave them bread from heaven, 7 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.
16 But our ancestors grew proud and stubborn 8 and refused to obey your commands.
17 They refused to obey; they forgot all you did; 9 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.
18 They made an idol in the shape of a bull-calf 10 and said it was the god who led them from Egypt! How much they insulted you, Lord!

Cross References 10

  • 1. 9.8Genesis 15.18-21.
  • 2. 9.9 aExodus 3.7; bExodus 14.10-12.
  • 3. 9.10Exodus 7.8--12.32.
  • 4. 9.11 aExodus 14.21-29; bExodus 15.4, 5.
  • 5. 9.12Exodus 13.21, 22.
  • 6. 9.13, 14Exodus 19.18--23.33.
  • 7. 9.15 aExodus 16.4-15; bExodus 17.1-7; cDeuteronomy 1.21.
  • 8. 9.16, 17Numbers 14.1-4;Deuteronomy 1.26-33.
  • 9. 9.17Exodus 34.6;Numbers 14.18.
  • 10. 9.18Exodus 32.1-4.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.