17. They refused to listen.They forgot the miracles you performed for them.They became stubborn and appointed a leaderto take them back to slavery ⌊in Egypt⌋.But you are a forgiving God,one who is compassionate, merciful, patient,and always ready to forgive.You never abandoned them,
18. even when they made a metal statue of a calf for themselvesand said, ‘This is your god who took you out of Egypt.’They committed outrageous sins.
19. But because of your endless compassion,you didn’t abandon them in the desert.The column of smoke didn’t leave them during the day,but it led them on their way.The column of fire didn’t leave them during the night,but it gave them light to see the way they should go.