16. But our ancestors became proud and stubborn. They refused to obey your commands.
17. They refused to listen. They forgot the amazing things you did with them. They became stubborn. They decided to return to Egypt and become slaves again. “But you are a forgiving God! You are kind and full of mercy. You are patient and full of love. So you didn’t leave them!
18. You didn’t leave them even when they made golden calves and said, ‘These are the gods that led us out of Egypt.’
19. You are very kind, so you didn’t leave them in the desert. You didn’t take the tall cloud away from them by day. You continued to lead them. You didn’t take the column of fire away from them at night. You continued to light their path and to show them which way to go.