8. Whenever Moses went out to the tent, all the people would rise and stand at the entrances to their tents and watch Moses until he went in.
9. As soon as Moses went into the tent, the column of smoke would come down and stay at the entrance to the tent while the Lord spoke with Moses.
10. When all the people saw the column of smoke standing at the entrance to the tent, they would all bow with their faces touching the ground at the entrance to their own tents.
11. The Lord would speak to Moses personally, as a man speaks to his friend. Then Moses would come back to the camp, but his assistant, Joshua, son of Nun, stayed inside the tent.
12. Moses said to the Lord, “You’ve been telling me to lead these people, but you haven’t let me know whom you’re sending with me. You’ve also said, ‘I know you by name, and I’m pleased with you.’
13. If you really are pleased with me, show me your ways so that I can know you and so that you will continue to be pleased with me. Remember: This nation is your people.”
14. The Lord answered, “My presence will go ⌊with you,⌋ and I will give you peace.”
15. Then Moses said to him, “If your presence is not going ⌊with us⌋, don’t make us leave this place.
16. How will anyone ever know you’re pleased with your people and me unless you go with us? Then we will be different from all other people on the face of the earth.”
17. The Lord answered Moses, “I will do what you have asked, because I am pleased with you, and I know you by name.”
18. Then Moses said, “Please let me see your glory.”
19. The Lord said, “I will let all my goodness pass in front of you, and there I will call out my name ‘the Lord.’ I will be kind to anyone I want to. I will be merciful to anyone I want to.