15. "Suppose you put these people to death all at one time. Then the nations who have heard those things about you will talk. They'll say,
16. "The Lord took an oath. He promised to give these people the land of Canaan. But he wasn't able to bring them into it. So he killed them in the desert.'
17. "Now, Lord, show your strength. You have said,
18. "I am the Lord. I am slow to get angry. I am full of love. I forgive those who sin. I forgive those who refuse to obey. But I do not let guilty people go without punishing them. I punish the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren for the sin of their parents.'
19. "Lord, your love is great. So forgive the sin of these people. Forgive them just as you have done from the time they left Egypt until now."
20. The Lord replied, "I have forgiven them, just as you asked.
21. You can be sure that I live. You can be sure that my glory fills the whole earth.