15. “When they were hungry, you gave them bread from heaven,and water from a rock when they were thirsty.You told them to take control of the landwhich you had promised to give them.
16. But our ancestors grew proud and stubbornand refused to obey your commands.
17. They refused to obey; they forgot all you did;they forgot the miracles you had performed.In their pride they chose a leaderto 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 calfand said it was the god who led them from Egypt!How much they insulted you, Lord!
19. But you did not abandon them there in the desert,for your mercy is great.You did not take away the cloud or the firethat showed them the path by day and night.
20. In your goodness you told them what they should do;you fed them with manna and gave them water to drink.
21. Through forty years in the desertyou provided all that they needed;their clothing never wore out,and their feet were not swollen with pain.
22. “You let them conquer nations and kingdoms,lands that bordered their own.They conquered the land of Heshbon, where Sihon ruled,and the land of Bashan, where Og was king.
23. You gave them as many children as there are stars in the sky,and let them conquer and live in the landthat you had promised their ancestors to give them.
24. They conquered the land of Canaan;you overcame the people living there.You gave your people the power to do as they pleasedwith the people and kings of Canaan.
25. Your people captured fortified cities,fertile land, houses full of wealth,cisterns already dug,olive trees, fruit trees, and vineyards.They ate all they wanted and grew fat;they enjoyed all the good things you gave them.
26. “But your people rebelled and disobeyed you;they turned their backs on your Law.They killed the prophets who warned them,who told them to turn back to you.They insulted you time after time,
27. so you let their enemies conquer and rule them.In their trouble they called to you for help,and you answered them from heaven.In your great mercy you sent them leaderswho rescued them from their foes.
28. When peace returned, they sinned again,and again you let their enemies conquer them.Yet when they repented and asked you to save them,in heaven you heard, and time after timeyou rescued them in your great mercy.
29. You warned them to obey your teachings,but in pride they rejected your laws,although keeping your Law is the way to life.Obstinate and stubborn, they refused to obey.
30. Year after year you patiently warned them.You inspired your prophets to speak,but your people were deaf,so you let them be conquered by other nations.
31. And yet, because your mercy is great,you did not forsake or destroy them.You are a gracious and merciful God!