10. You knew that the King of Egyptand his officials and his nationhad ill-treated your people.So you worked fearsome miraclesagainst the Egyptiansand earned a reputationthat still remains.
11. You divided the deep sea,and your people walked throughon dry land.But you tossed their enemies in,and they sank downlike a heavy stone.
12. Each day you led your peoplewith a thick cloud,and at night you showed the waywith a flaming fire.
13. At Sinai you came downfrom heaven,and you gave your peoplegood laws and teachingsthat are fair and honest.
14. You commanded them to respectyour holy Sabbath,and you instructedyour servant Mosesto teach them your laws.
15. When they were hungry,you sent bread from heaven,and when they were thirsty,you let water flowfrom a rock.Then you commanded themto capture the landthat you had solemnly promised.
16-17. Our stubborn ancestorsrefused to obey—they forgot about the miraclesyou had worked for them,and they were determinedto return to Egyptand become slaves again.But, our God, you are mercifuland quick to forgive;you are loving, kind,and very patient.So you never turned awayfrom them—
18. not even when they madean idol shaped like a calfand insulted you by claiming,“This is the god who rescued usfrom Egypt.”
19. Because of your great mercy,you never abandoned themin the desert.And you always guided themwith a cloud by dayand a fire at night.
20. Your gentle Spiritinstructed them,and you gave them manna to eatand water to drink.
21. You took good care of them,and for forty yearsthey never lacked a thing.Their shoes didn't wear out,and their feet were never swollen.
22. You let them conquer kingsand take their land,including King Sihon of Heshbonand King Og of Bashan.
23. You brought them into the landthat you had promisedtheir ancestors,and you blessed their nationwith people who outnumberedthe stars in the sky.
24. Then their descendantsconquered the land.You helped them defeatthe kings and nationsand treat their enemieshowever they wished.
25. They captured strong citiesand rich farmland;they took furnished houses,as well as cisterns,vineyards, olive orchards,and numerous fruit trees.They ate till they were satisfied,and they celebratedyour abundant blessings.
26. In spite of this, they rebelledand disobeyed your laws.They killed your prophets,who warned themto turn back to you,and they cursed your name.
27. So you handed them overto their enemies,who treated them terribly.But in their sufferings,they begged you to help.From heaven you listenedto their prayersand because of your great mercy,you sent leaders to rescue them.
28. But when they were at peace,they would turn against you,and you would hand them overto their enemies.Then they would beg for help,and because you are merciful,you rescued themover and over again.
29. You warned them to turn backand discover true lifeby obeying your laws.But they stubbornly refusedand continued to sin.
30. For years, you were patient,and your Spirit warned themwith messages spokenby your prophets.Still they refused to listen,and you handed them overto their enemies.