31. God’s anger rose against them;he put to death the sturdiest among them,cutting down the young men of Israel.
32. In spite of all this, they kept on sinning;in spite of his wonders, they did not believe.
33. So he ended their days in futilityand their years in terror.
34. Whenever God slew them, they would seek him;they eagerly turned to him again.
35. They remembered that God was their Rock,that God Most High was their Redeemer.
36. But then they would flatter him with their mouths,lying to him with their tongues;
37. their hearts were not loyal to him,they were not faithful to his covenant.
38. Yet he was merciful;he forgave their iniquitiesand did not destroy them.Time after time he restrained his angerand did not stir up his full wrath.