Nehemiah 9:16–19
16 But our ancestors acted arrogantly;
they became stiff-necked and did not listen to your commands.
and did not remember your wonders
you performed among them.e
They became stiff-necked and appointed a leader
to return to their slavery in Egypt.B,f
But you are a forgiving God,
gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and abounding in faithful love,g
and you did not abandon them.
18 Even after they had cast an image of a calf
for themselves and said,
“This is your god who brought you out of Egypt,”h
and they had committed terrible blasphemies,
19 you did not abandon them in the wilderness
because of your great compassion.
During the day the pillar of cloud
never turned away from them,
guiding them on their journey.
And during the night the pillar of fire
illuminated the way they should go.i