21. But you judged your own people very strictly, even though you had made covenants with their ancestors and had solemnly promised to give them good things.
22. Yes, you punish us, but you punish our enemies 10,000 times more, so that when we judge others, we may remember your goodness, and when we are being judged, we may look for mercy.
23. And so you tormented those who were foolish enough to live wickedly — you tormented them with the horrible things they worshipped.
24. They had wandered far away from the truth and worshipped the most disgusting and horrible animals. They were deceived as easily as little children.
25. And so you punished them for their stupidity, and your judgement made them look like fools.
26. It was a light punishment, but those who pay no attention to such warnings deserve to feel the full weight of God's judgement.
27. When they were punished with those creatures they considered gods, they became bitterly disillusioned and recognized that the true God was the one they had always refused to acknowledge. That is why they suffered the final punishment.