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.