Now for a short time, O LORD our God, you have been gracious to us and have let some of us escape from slavery and live in safety in this holy place. You have let us escape from slavery and have given us new life.

We were slaves, but you did not leave us in slavery. You made the emperors of Persia favor us and permit us to go on living and to rebuild your Temple, which was in ruins, and to find safety here in Judah and Jerusalem.

Even after everything that has happened to us in punishment for our sins and wrongs, we know that you, our God, have punished us less than we deserve and have allowed us to survive.

LORD God of Israel, you are just, but you have let us survive. We confess our guilt to you; we have no right to come into your presence."

And yet, because your mercy is great, you did not forsake or destroy them. You are a gracious and merciful God!

But God was merciful to his people. He forgave their sin and did not destroy them. Many times he held back his anger and restrained his fury.

For their sake he remembered his covenant, and because of his great love he relented.

But they defied me and refused to listen. They did not throw away their disgusting idols or give up the Egyptian gods. I was ready to let them feel the full force of my anger there in Egypt.

But I did not, since that would have brought dishonor to my name, for in the presence of the people among whom they were living I had announced to Israel that I was going to lead them out of Egypt.

But even in the desert they defied me. They broke my laws and rejected my commands, which bring life to anyone who obeys them. They completely profaned the Sabbath. I was ready to let them feel the force of my anger there in the desert and to destroy them.

But I did not, since that would have brought dishonor to my name among the nations which had seen me lead Israel out of Egypt.

"But that generation also defied me. They broke my laws and did not keep my commands, which bring life to anyone who obeys them. They profaned the Sabbath. I was ready to let them feel the force of my anger there in the desert and to kill them all.

But I did not, since that would have brought dishonor to my name among the nations which had seen me bring Israel out of Egypt.

"I am the LORD, and I do not change. And so you, the descendants of Jacob, are not yet completely lost.

Has he stopped loving us? Does his promise no longer stand?

But you, O Lord, are a merciful and loving God, always patient, always kind and faithful.

There is no other god like you, O LORD; you forgive the sins of your people who have survived. You do not stay angry forever, but you take pleasure in showing us your constant love.

You will be merciful to us once again. You will trample our sins underfoot and send them to the bottom of the sea!

from one generation to another he shows mercy to those who honor him.