14. But I acted for the sake of my name. I did not allow it to be dishonored before the nations. As the nations watched, I had brought the Israelites out of Egypt.
15. But in the desert I had to make another promise to the Israelites. I had to promise I would not bring them into the land I had given them. It is a land where much food grows. It is the best of all the lands.
16. This is because they rejected my laws. They did not follow my rules. They dishonored my Sabbaths. They would rather worship their idols.
17. But I had pity on them. I did not destroy them. I did not put an end to them in the desert.
18. I said to their children in the desert, “Don’t live by the rules of your fathers. Don’t obey their laws. Don’t make yourselves unclean with their idols.