Nehemiah 9 summary meaning ai explained commentary

Nehemiah 9 meaning explained in AI Summary

Chapter 9 of Nehemiah details a solemn assembly of the Israelites in Jerusalem. Having rebuilt the walls and re-established their community, they now turn their focus inward, acknowledging their past sins and reaffirming their covenant with God.

of the chapter:

1. Public Reading and Worship (vv. 1-5): The people gather, separating themselves from foreigners. They listen to the Law of Moses being read aloud for hours, followed by worship and praise led by the Levites.

2. A Historical Review of God's Faithfulness (vv. 6-31): The Levites lead the people in a lengthy prayer, recounting God's actions throughout history. They begin with creation and continue through the patriarchs, the Exodus, the wilderness wanderings, the conquest of Canaan, and the period of the judges and kings. This review emphasizes:

God's Sovereignty and Power: He is the creator and sustainer of all things.
God's Faithfulness to His Promises: He remained faithful to the covenant despite their repeated unfaithfulness.
God's Mercy and Forgiveness: He repeatedly delivered them from their enemies and forgave their sins.

3. Confession of Sin and Repentance (vv. 32-37): The prayer shifts from praising God's faithfulness to confessing their own sinfulness. They acknowledge their rebellion, stubbornness, and disobedience throughout their history. They confess that their current suffering is a direct result of their sin and plead for God's mercy.

4. Covenant Renewal (vv. 38): As a response to God's grace and mercy, the people enter into a binding agreement, a renewed covenant. They pledge to obey God's Law and follow his commands. This covenant is recorded in writing and sealed by the leaders and the people.

Key Themes:

The Importance of Remembering: Recalling God's past faithfulness is essential for present obedience and future hope.
The Power of Confession and Repentance: Acknowledging sin and turning back to God is crucial for restoration and renewal.
The Unbreakable Covenant: Despite their failures, God remains faithful to his promises and offers forgiveness and a renewed relationship.

Chapter 9 serves as a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness and the importance of repentance and covenant renewal. It sets the stage for the people's commitment to live according to God's Law as they rebuild their lives in Jerusalem.

Nehemiah 9 bible study ai commentary

This chapter contains one of the longest recorded prayers in the Bible, a corporate confession led by the Levites. It systematically recounts God's history with Israel, contrasting His unwavering faithfulness and mercy with the nation's persistent rebellion and sin. This historical recital serves as the theological basis for their repentance and their commitment to renew their covenant with God, acknowledging their present state of distress as a just consequence of their actions and pleading for divine intervention.

Nehemiah 9 Context

This chapter occurs in the post-exilic period (after the Babylonian captivity) under Persian rule. The returned Jews, led by Ezra the priest and Nehemiah the governor, have rebuilt Jerusalem's walls. This physical restoration prompts a spiritual renewal. Chapter 8 describes the public reading of the Law of Moses, which brought great conviction and understanding to the people. Chapter 9 is the direct result: a formal, organized national day of fasting, confession, and worship, setting the stage for the signed, written covenant of chapter 10. The prayer is a liturgical response to the truths they rediscovered in the Torah.

Nehemiah 9:1-4

On the twenty-fourth day of the same month, the Israelites were assembled with fasting and in sackcloth, and with earth on their heads. And the descendants of Israel separated themselves from all foreigners and stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers. And they stood up in their place and read from the Book of the Law of the LORD their God for a quarter of the day; for another quarter of it they made confession and worshiped the LORD their God. On the platform of the Levites stood Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani; and they cried with a loud voice to the LORD their God.

In-depth-analysis

Timing: The 24th day of the seventh month, just two days after the conclusion of the Feast of Tabernacles (Neh 8:18). Their recent celebration did not erase the conviction of their sin; it deepened their need for repentance.
Actions of Repentance: The assembly demonstrated profound mourning through:
- Fasting: Denying the body to focus the spirit.
- Sackcloth: A coarse garment symbolizing grief and humility.
- Earth on heads: An outward sign of deep distress and debasement.
Separation: "Separated themselves from all foreigners" was not primarily racial but theological. Intermarriage and the adoption of foreign gods were principal reasons for the exile. This act was a deliberate break from syncretism and a recommitment to Yahweh alone.
Corporate Confession: They confess both their own sins and "the iniquities of their fathers," accepting corporate responsibility for the nation's history of covenant-breaking.
Structured Worship: The day was highly organized. A quarter of the day (approx. 3 hours) was for reading the Law, and another quarter for confession and worship. This highlights the centrality of God's Word in true repentance and worship.

Bible references

Ezra 9:1-2: "The people of Israel... have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands... for they have taken their daughters as wives for themselves..." (Context of separation).
Daniel 9:3-4: "Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. I prayed... and made confession..." (Parallel act of national confession).
Joel 2:12-13: "'Yet even now,' declares the LORD, 'return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning...'" (The call for genuine repentance).
1 Samuel 7:6: "So they gathered at Mizpah and drew water and poured it out before the LORD and fasted on that day and said there, 'We have sinned against the LORD.'" (Historical precedent for national confession).

Cross references

Ezra 10:11 (separating from foreign wives); Jonah 3:5-8 (Nineveh's repentance); Ps 106:6 (confessing sins of the fathers); Lam 5:7 (suffering for the sins of ancestors).

Nehemiah 9:5-6

Then the Levites... said, "Stand up and bless the LORD your God from everlasting to everlasting. Blessed be your glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise. You are the LORD, you alone. You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them; and you preserve them all, and the host of heaven worships you."

In-depth-analysis

The prayer begins not with petition, but with doxology (praise). Worship precedes confession and requests.
"You are the LORD, you alone": A foundational declaration of monotheism, directly challenging the polytheism of the surrounding Persian and Babylonian cultures.
Word: The "host of heaven" (tseva' hashamaim) here refers to the angelic beings who worship God. This asserts God's sovereignty over the spiritual realm.
Scope of Creation: The prayer encompasses the totality of creation—from the highest heavens to the depths of the seas. God is not just a tribal deity but the universal Creator and Sustainer.
"You preserve them all": God is not a deistic creator who winds up the universe and leaves it. He is actively involved in sustaining every part of His creation.

Bible references

Deuteronomy 6:4: "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one." (The core monotheistic creed).
Genesis 1:1: "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." (The foundational creation account).
Colossians 1:16-17: "For by him all things were created... visible and invisible... and in him all things hold together." (Reinforces Christ's role in creation and sustenance).
Psalm 148:1-5: "Praise him, all his angels... praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars!... for he commanded and they were created." (All creation, including the heavenly host, is called to praise the Creator).

Cross references

Isa 44:6 (God as the first and last); Isa 37:16 (God alone made heaven and earth); Rev 4:11 (God is worthy for creating all things); Acts 17:24-25 (God as creator and sustainer).

Polemics

The emphasis on Yahweh as the sole creator of the "host of heaven" is a direct polemic against the sophisticated astral religions of Mesopotamia (Babylon, Assyria) and Persia, where the sun, moon, and stars were worshiped as deities. This prayer subordinates them to mere creations of the one true God, who is worshipped by the heavenly host, not among them.

Nehemiah 9:7-8

"You are the LORD God who chose Abram and brought him out of Ur of the Chaldeans and gave him the name Abraham. You found his heart faithful before you, and made with him the covenant to give to his offspring the land... And you have kept your promise, for you are righteous."

In-depth-analysis

The prayer transitions from God the Creator to God the Covenant-Maker.
God's Initiative: God is the active agent: "You chose," "You brought," "You gave," "You found," "You made." Abram's story begins with God's sovereign grace.
Name Change: Changing Abram's name to Abraham ("father of a multitude") was a sign of the covenant promise.
"Found his heart faithful": This refers to Abraham's trust and obedience (e.g., Genesis 15:6, Genesis 22). While Abraham was faithful, the ultimate ground of the covenant is God's own righteousness ("for you are righteous").
The Promise: The prayer specifies the Abrahamic Covenant's promise of the land, which is a central theme of the entire historical recital.

Bible references

Genesis 12:1-3: "Now the LORD said to Abram, 'Go from your country... to the land that I will show you...'" (The initial call and promise).
Genesis 15:6: "And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness." (Abraham's justifying faith).
Genesis 17:5: "No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you a father of a multitude of nations." (The name change and covenant sign).
Romans 4:3: "For what does the Scripture say? 'Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.'" (Paul's use of Abraham as the paradigm of faith).

Cross references

Deut 7:7-8 (God's sovereign choice); Josh 24:2-3 (reciting the call of Abraham); Gal 3:6-9 (Abraham as the father of all who have faith).

Nehemiah 9:9-15

"...You saw the affliction of our fathers in Egypt and heard their cry at the Red Sea... and performed signs and wonders... you made a name for yourself, as it is to this day... You gave them commandments... bread from heaven... water from the rock... and you told them to go in to possess the land that you had sworn to give them."

In-depth-analysis

This section details the Exodus and wilderness events, focusing entirely on God's miraculous provision and faithfulness.
Deliverance (vv. 9-11): God is portrayed as the divine warrior who sees, hears, and acts decisively on behalf of His oppressed people. The purpose of the plagues and the Red Sea crossing was not just Israel's freedom but to "make a name" for Yahweh among the nations.
Guidance (v. 12): The pillar of cloud and fire was a constant, visible manifestation of God's presence and guidance.
Revelation (vv. 13-14): The giving of the Law at Sinai was a gift of grace, providing "just rules and true laws, good statutes and commandments," including the Sabbath, a sign of the covenant.
Provision (v. 15): God met their physical needs miraculously with manna ("bread from heaven") and water from the rock.
Commission (v. 15b): God fulfilled His promise to Abraham by commanding them to enter and possess the promised land.

Bible references

Exodus 3:7: "Then the LORD said, 'I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry...'" (God seeing and hearing their suffering).
Exodus 14:31: "Israel saw the great power that the LORD used against the Egyptians, so the people feared the LORD, and they believed in the LORD..." (The result of the Red Sea crossing).
Exodus 20:1: "And God spoke all these words, saying, 'I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt...'" (The giving of the Law).
1 Corinthians 10:3-4: "...and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ." (NT interpretation of the wilderness provision).

Cross references

Deut 4:34 (God's signs and wonders); Ps 78:12-16 (poetic account of Exodus/wilderness); Ps 105:26-45 (summary of God's saving acts); John 6:31-33 (Jesus as the true bread from heaven).

Nehemiah 9:16-21

"But they and our fathers acted presumptuously and stiffened their neck... They refused to obey... and were not mindful of the wonders... But in their rebellion they appointed a leader to return to their slavery... But you are a God ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and did not forsake them... For forty years you sustained them in the wilderness..."

In-depth-analysis

The Turning Point: The word "But" marks the tragic pivot from God's faithfulness to Israel's unfaithfulness.
Rebellion Catalogued: The prayer lists the people's specific sins: pride ("acted presumptuously"), stubbornness ("stiffened their neck"), disobedience, and willful forgetfulness of God's miracles.
Key Failures: It specifically references the golden calf incident (Exodus 32) and the refusal to enter the land at Kadesh Barnea (Numbers 14), where they wanted to "appoint a leader to return to their slavery."
God's Character: The rebellion is juxtaposed with the classic description of God's character from Exodus 34:6-7. He is defined by grace, mercy, patience, and love (hesed). This is the reason they were not destroyed.
Continued Provision: Despite their rebellion, God's provision of the pillar, manna, and water did not cease. For 40 years, "their clothes did not wear out and their feet did not swell." His grace outlasted their sin.

Bible references

Exodus 34:6: "The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness..." (God's self-revelation, which the prayer quotes).
Numbers 14:4: "And they said to one another, 'Let us choose a leader and go back to Egypt.'" (The rebellion at Kadesh Barnea).
Deuteronomy 8:4: "Your clothing did not wear out on you and your foot did not swell these forty years." (God's miraculous physical sustenance).
Psalm 106:7-8: "Our fathers in Egypt did not consider your wondrous works... But he saved them for his name's sake..." (A parallel psalm recounting Israel's sin and God's saving grace).

Cross references

Ex 32:4 (the golden calf); Ps 78:17-41 (poetic recounting of wilderness rebellion); Heb 3:7-11 (NT warning against having an evil, unbelieving heart like the wilderness generation).

Nehemiah 9:22-25

"And you gave them kingdoms and peoples and allotted them every corner. So they took possession of the land of Sihon... and the land of Og... You multiplied their children as the stars of heaven... they captured fortified cities and a rich land, and took possession of houses full of all good things... so they ate and were filled and became fat and delighted themselves in your great goodness."

In-depth-analysis

This section moves to the Conquest generation, who, in contrast to their parents, obeyed God and entered the land.
God as the Giver: Again, God is the active agent. "You gave," "You multiplied," "You brought." The victory was His, not theirs.
Total Provision: The blessings were overwhelming: fortified cities, rich land, pre-filled houses, wells, vineyards. They inherited a civilization.
The Ideal State: "They... delighted themselves in your great goodness." This describes the peak of their blessing, living in the full enjoyment of God's covenant promises. It was the "shalom" God intended for them.

Bible references

Numbers 21:21-35: The accounts of the defeat of Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan.
Joshua 21:43-45: "Thus the LORD gave to Israel all the land that he had sworn to give to their fathers... Not one word of all the good promises that the LORD had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass." (The fulfillment of the promise).
Deuteronomy 6:10-11: "And when the LORD your God brings you into the land... with great and good cities that you did not build, and houses full of all good things that you did not fill..." (Moses' prophecy of this exact blessing).
Deuteronomy 32:15: "But Jeshurun (Israel) grew fat, and kicked; you grew fat, stout, and sleek; then he forsook God who made him..." (This verse serves as a tragic foreshadowing of what comes next).

Cross references

Ps 44:2-3 (God drove out the nations); Ps 135:10-12 (God gave the land as a heritage); Josh 24:13 (summary of the conquest's blessings).

Nehemiah 9:26-31

"Nevertheless, they were disobedient and rebelled against you and cast your law behind their back and killed your prophets... Therefore you gave them into the hand of their enemies... But when they cried to you, you heard from heaven, and according to your great compassion you gave them saviors... But after they had rest, they did evil again before you... yet when they turned and cried to you, you heard from heaven, and many times you delivered them according to your compassion..."

In-depth-analysis

The Tragic Cycle: This section perfectly summarizes the pattern of sin detailed in the book of Judges and repeated through the era of the Kings.
1. Sin: Rebellion, rejecting the Law, killing the prophets.
2. Servitude: God gives them over to their enemies.
3. Supplication: The people cry out to God.
4. Salvation: God, in His "great compassion," sends a deliverer (a judge or righteous king).
5. Shalom (Rest): A period of peace.
6. Sin Again: The cycle repeats.
Killing the Prophets: A specific and heinous crime, as the prophets were God's own mouthpiece. This indictment is repeated by Jesus and Stephen.
Word: The key phrase is God's "great compassion" (rahamim). It is the only constant in the repeating cycle of sin and judgment. It is the engine of their repeated deliverance.
The Exile: Finally, God's patience led to judgment ("You gave them into the hand of the peoples of the lands"), but even in this, He showed mercy by not making a "full end" of them.

Bible references

Judges 2:16-19: "Then the LORD raised up judges, who saved them... But whenever the judge died, they turned back and were more corrupt than their fathers..." (The explicit summary of the cycle of Judges).
Matthew 23:37: "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children... and you were not willing!" (Jesus' lament over the same pattern of rejection).
Acts 7:52: "Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One..." (Stephen's indictment before the Sanhedrin).
Lamentations 3:22: "The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end." (The theological reason for Israel's survival despite judgment).

Cross references

2 Kgs 17:7-18 (detailed list of reasons for Israel's exile); 2 Chr 36:15-16 (God sent prophets, but they were mocked); Jer 4:27 (God's promise not to make a full end); Rom 11:29 (God's gifts and calling are irrevocable).

Nehemiah 9:32-37

"Now therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love, let not all the hardship seem little to you... our kings, our officials, our priests, and our fathers have not kept your law... Yet you have been righteous in all that has come upon us... for you have acted faithfully, but we have done wickedly. ...Behold, we are slaves this day; in the land that you gave to our fathers to enjoy its fruit... its rich yield goes to the kings whom you have set over us because of our sins."

In-depth-analysis

The Climax: The prayer now applies the entire historical lesson to their present reality. "Now therefore..."
Plea Based on God's Character: They appeal to God as "great, mighty, and awesome," the keeper of covenant and steadfast love (hesed). Their request for help is grounded in who God is.
Unqualified Confession: They take full responsibility. There is no excuse-making. "You have been righteous... we have done wickedly." This is the heart of true repentance. They acknowledge their judgment is just.
The Great Irony: The core of their hardship is expressed in a powerful paradox: they are "slaves this day" in the very land God gave them to be free. The produce of their promised land goes to foreign kings (Persia) because of their sins. This is the tragic reversal of the blessing described in verse 25.
Collective Identity: Note the shift from "our fathers" to "we," as they now include themselves in the pattern of national guilt.

Bible references

Daniel 9:7-8: "To you, O Lord, belongs righteousness, but to us open shame... because we have sinned against you." (A very similar prayer of confession from the exilic period).
Deuteronomy 28:47-48: "Because you did not serve the LORD your God with joyfulness... therefore you shall serve your enemies whom the LORD will send against you..." (The curses of the covenant, now seen as fulfilled).
Ezra 9:9: "For we are slaves. Yet our God has not forsaken us in our slavery..." (Expresses the same reality of being slaves in the land).
Lamentations 5:1-5: A prayer describing the hardship and servitude in the land after the Babylonian conquest.

Cross references

Deut 10:17 (God as great, mighty, awesome); Ps 119:137 (You are righteous, O Lord); Lam 1:18 (The Lord is in the right, for I have rebelled).

Nehemiah 9:38

"Because of all this, we make a firm covenant and write it, and our officials, our Levites, and our priests set their seal to it."

In-depth-analysis

"Because of all this...": The entire prayer—the recitation of God's faithfulness and their unfaithfulness—is the foundation for this next step. Repentance must lead to action.
Word: The term "firm covenant" is from the Hebrew amanah, meaning something that is sure, binding, and trustworthy. It shares a root with "Amen."
Formal and Binding: This is not a vague promise. They are creating a written, legal document, signed and sealed by the community leaders on behalf of the people. This demonstrates the seriousness of their commitment.
Bridge to Chapter 10: This single verse acts as the hinge between the prayer of confession (Ch. 9) and the practical outworking of that confession in the form of a renewed national commitment (Ch. 10).

Bible references

2 Kings 23:3: "And the king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before the LORD... and all the people joined in the covenant." (King Josiah leading a similar covenant renewal after finding the Book of the Law).
2 Chronicles 29:10: "Now it is in my heart to make a covenant with the LORD, the God of Israel..." (Hezekiah initiating a covenant renewal).
Exodus 24:7: "Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it in the hearing of the people. And they said, 'All that the LORD has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient.'" (The original covenant ceremony at Sinai).

Cross references

Jer 34:8 (covenant to free slaves); 2 Chr 15:12 (covenant under Asa).

Nehemiah chapter 9 analysis

Covenant Lawsuit Structure: The prayer mirrors the structure of an ancient Near Eastern treaty or covenant lawsuit (rîb). It has a preamble (praising God's name), a historical prologue (recounting God's saving acts), a list of stipulations (implied in the recital of Israel's breaking of the Law), and a verdict (their current state is a just outworking of the covenant curses).
Theology of History: The prayer presents a theological interpretation of Israel's entire history from Creation to the post-exilic period. History is not random; it is the arena where the covenant drama of God's faithfulness and humanity's unfaithfulness plays out.
God's Unchanging Character: Throughout the long, sad history of Israel's sin, the one constant is God's character: He is a God of hesed (covenant faithfulness) and rahamim (deep, motherly compassion). This is the theological anchor of the entire chapter.
Corporate Identity: The prayer demonstrates a powerful sense of corporate solidarity. The post-exilic community sees itself as part of the whole story of Israel. They confess the sins of their ancestors as their own ("our fathers... we...") and understand their current situation as the consequence of this long, shared history.
Primacy of the Word: The entire event is sparked by the reading of the Torah in chapter 8, and the prayer in chapter 9 is saturated with allusions to and direct quotes from the Pentateuch, Psalms, and Prophets. It shows a community re-centering itself on Scripture.

Nehemiah 9 summary

Nehemiah 9 records a solemn, liturgical prayer of national confession led by the Levites. The prayer recounts salvation history, systematically contrasting God’s unwavering faithfulness as Creator and Redeemer with Israel’s persistent cycle of rebellion, from the Exodus through the era of the Judges and Kings. Acknowledging their current state of servitude under Persia as the just consequence of their historical sins, the people ground their plea for mercy in God’s character as a forgiving, gracious, and compassionate God. This profound act of corporate repentance serves as the basis for the formal, written covenant renewal that follows in chapter 10.

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Nehemiah chapter 9 kjv

¹ Now in the twenty and fourth day of this month the children of Israel were assembled with fasting, and with sackclothes, and earth upon them.
² And the seed of Israel separated themselves from all strangers, and stood and confessed their sins, and the iniquities of their fathers.
³ And they stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law of the LORD their God one fourth part of the day; and another fourth part they confessed, and worshipped the LORD their God.
⁴ Then stood up upon the stairs, of the Levites, Jeshua, and Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani, and cried with a loud voice unto the LORD their God.
⁵ Then the Levites, Jeshua, and Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabniah, Sherebiah, Hodijah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, said, Stand up and bless the LORD your God for ever and ever: and blessed be thy glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise.
⁶ Thou, even thou, art LORD alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee.
⁷ Thou art the LORD the God, who didst choose Abram, and broughtest him forth out of Ur of the Chaldees, and gavest him the name of Abraham;
⁸ And foundest his heart faithful before thee, and madest a covenant with him to give the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Jebusites, and the Girgashites, to give it, I say, to his seed, and hast performed thy words; for thou art righteous:
⁹ And didst see the affliction of our fathers in Egypt, and heardest their cry by the Red sea;
¹⁰ And shewedst signs and wonders upon Pharaoh, and on all his servants, and on all the people of his land: for thou knewest that they dealt proudly against them. So didst thou get thee a name, as it is this day.
¹¹ And thou didst divide the sea before them, so that they went through the midst of the sea on the dry land; and their persecutors thou threwest into the deeps, as a stone into the mighty waters.
¹² Moreover thou leddest them in the day by a cloudy pillar; and in the night by a pillar of fire, to give them light in the way wherein they should go.
¹³ Thou camest down also upon mount Sinai, and spakest with them from heaven, and gavest them right judgments, and true laws, good statutes and commandments:
¹⁴ And madest known unto them thy holy sabbath, and commandedst them precepts, statutes, and laws, by the hand of Moses thy servant:
¹⁵ And gavest them bread from heaven for their hunger, and broughtest forth water for them out of the rock for their thirst, and promisedst them that they should go in to possess the land which thou hadst sworn to give them.
¹⁶ But they and our fathers dealt proudly, and hardened their necks, and hearkened not to thy commandments,
¹⁷ And refused to obey, neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou didst among them; but hardened their necks, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage: but thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsookest them not.
¹⁸ Yea, when they had made them a molten calf, and said, This is thy God that brought thee up out of Egypt, and had wrought great provocations;
¹⁹ Yet thou in thy manifold mercies forsookest them not in the wilderness: the pillar of the cloud departed not from them by day, to lead them in the way; neither the pillar of fire by night, to shew them light, and the way wherein they should go.
²⁰ Thou gavest also thy good spirit to instruct them, and withheldest not thy manna from their mouth, and gavest them water for their thirst.
²¹ Yea, forty years didst thou sustain them in the wilderness, so that they lacked nothing; their clothes waxed not old, and their feet swelled not.
²² Moreover thou gavest them kingdoms and nations, and didst divide them into corners: so they possessed the land of Sihon, and the land of the king of Heshbon, and the land of Og king of Bashan.
²³ Their children also multipliedst thou as the stars of heaven, and broughtest them into the land, concerning which thou hadst promised to their fathers, that they should go in to possess it.
²⁴ So the children went in and possessed the land, and thou subduedst before them the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, and gavest them into their hands, with their kings, and the people of the land, that they might do with them as they would.
²⁵ And they took strong cities, and a fat land, and possessed houses full of all goods, wells digged, vineyards, and oliveyards, and fruit trees in abundance: so they did eat, and were filled, and became fat, and delighted themselves in thy great goodness.
²⁶ Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled against thee, and cast thy law behind their backs, and slew thy prophets which testified against them to turn them to thee, and they wrought great provocations.
²⁷ Therefore thou deliveredst them into the hand of their enemies, who vexed them: and in the time of their trouble, when they cried unto thee, thou heardest them from heaven; and according to thy manifold mercies thou gavest them saviours, who saved them out of the hand of their enemies.
²⁸ But after they had rest, they did evil again before thee: therefore leftest thou them in the land of their enemies, so that they had the dominion over them: yet when they returned, and cried unto thee, thou heardest them from heaven; and many times didst thou deliver them according to thy mercies;
²⁹ And testifiedst against them, that thou mightest bring them again unto thy law: yet they dealt proudly, and hearkened not unto thy commandments, but sinned against thy judgments, (which if a man do, he shall live in them;) and withdrew the shoulder, and hardened their neck, and would not hear.
³⁰ Yet many years didst thou forbear them, and testifiedst against them by thy spirit in thy prophets: yet would they not give ear: therefore gavest thou them into the hand of the people of the lands.
³¹ Nevertheless for thy great mercies' sake thou didst not utterly consume them, nor forsake them; for thou art a gracious and merciful God.
³² Now therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the terrible God, who keepest covenant and mercy, let not all the trouble seem little before thee, that hath come upon us, on our kings, on our princes, and on our priests, and on our prophets, and on our fathers, and on all thy people, since the time of the kings of Assyria unto this day.
³³ Howbeit thou art just in all that is brought upon us; for thou hast done right, but we have done wickedly:
³⁴ Neither have our kings, our princes, our priests, nor our fathers, kept thy law, nor hearkened unto thy commandments and thy testimonies, wherewith thou didst testify against them.
³⁵ For they have not served thee in their kingdom, and in thy great goodness that thou gavest them, and in the large and fat land which thou gavest before them, neither turned they from their wicked works.
³⁶ Behold, we are servants this day, and for the land that thou gavest unto our fathers to eat the fruit thereof and the good thereof, behold, we are servants in it:
³⁷ And it yieldeth much increase unto the kings whom thou hast set over us because of our sins: also they have dominion over our bodies, and over our cattle, at their pleasure, and we are in great distress.
³⁸ And because of all this we make a sure covenant, and write it; and our princes, Levites, and priests, seal unto it.

Nehemiah chapter 9 nkjv

¹ Now on the twenty-fourth day of this month the children of Israel were assembled with fasting, in sackcloth, and with dust on their heads.
² Then those of Israelite lineage separated themselves from all foreigners; and they stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers.
³ And they stood up in their place and read from the Book of the Law of the LORD their God for one?fourth of the day; and for another fourth they confessed and worshiped the LORD their God.
⁴ Then Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani stood on the stairs of the Levites and cried out with a loud voice to the LORD their God.
⁵ And the Levites, Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabniah, Sherebiah, Hodijah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, said: "Stand up and bless the LORD your God Forever and ever! "Blessed be Your glorious name, Which is exalted above all blessing and praise!
⁶ You alone are the LORD; You have made heaven, The heaven of heavens, with all their host, The earth and everything on it, The seas and all that is in them, And You preserve them all. The host of heaven worships You.
⁷ "You are the LORD God, Who chose Abram, And brought him out of Ur of the Chaldeans, And gave him the name Abraham;
⁸ You found his heart faithful before You, And made a covenant with him To give the land of the Canaanites, The Hittites, the Amorites, The Perizzites, the Jebusites, And the Girgashites? To give it to his descendants. You have performed Your words, For You are righteous.
⁹ "You saw the affliction of our fathers in Egypt, And heard their cry by the Red Sea.
¹⁰ You showed signs and wonders against Pharaoh, Against all his servants, And against all the people of his land. For You knew that they acted proudly against them. So You made a name for Yourself, as it is this day.
¹¹ And You divided the sea before them, So that they went through the midst of the sea on the dry land; And their persecutors You threw into the deep, As a stone into the mighty waters.
¹² Moreover You led them by day with a cloudy pillar, And by night with a pillar of fire, To give them light on the road Which they should travel.
¹³ "You came down also on Mount Sinai, And spoke with them from heaven, And gave them just ordinances and true laws, Good statutes and commandments.
¹⁴ You made known to them Your holy Sabbath, And commanded them precepts, statutes and laws, By the hand of Moses Your servant.
¹⁵ You gave them bread from heaven for their hunger, And brought them water out of the rock for their thirst, And told them to go in to possess the land Which You had sworn to give them.
¹⁶ "But they and our fathers acted proudly, Hardened their necks, And did not heed Your commandments.
¹⁷ They refused to obey, And they were not mindful of Your wonders That You did among them. But they hardened their necks, And in their rebellion They appointed a leader To return to their bondage. But You are God, Ready to pardon, Gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, Abundant in kindness, And did not forsake them.
¹⁸ "Even when they made a molded calf for themselves, And said, 'This is your god That brought you up out of Egypt,' And worked great provocations,
¹⁹ Yet in Your manifold mercies You did not forsake them in the wilderness. The pillar of the cloud did not depart from them by day, To lead them on the road; Nor the pillar of fire by night, To show them light, And the way they should go.
²⁰ You also gave Your good Spirit to instruct them, And did not withhold Your manna from their mouth, And gave them water for their thirst.
²¹ Forty years You sustained them in the wilderness; They lacked nothing; Their clothes did not wear out And their feet did not swell.
²² "Moreover You gave them kingdoms and nations, And divided them into districts. So they took possession of the land of Sihon, The land of the king of Heshbon, And the land of Og king of Bashan.
²³ You also multiplied their children as the stars of heaven, And brought them into the land Which You had told their fathers To go in and possess.
²⁴ So the people went in And possessed the land; You subdued before them the inhabitants of the land, The Canaanites, And gave them into their hands, With their kings And the people of the land, That they might do with them as they wished.
²⁵ And they took strong cities and a rich land, And possessed houses full of all goods, Cisterns already dug, vineyards, olive groves, And fruit trees in abundance. So they ate and were filled and grew fat, And delighted themselves in Your great goodness.
²⁶ "Nevertheless they were disobedient And rebelled against You, Cast Your law behind their backs And killed Your prophets, who testified against them To turn them to Yourself; And they worked great provocations.
²⁷ Therefore You delivered them into the hand of their enemies, Who oppressed them; And in the time of their trouble, When they cried to You, You heard from heaven; And according to Your abundant mercies You gave them deliverers who saved them From the hand of their enemies.
²⁸ "But after they had rest, They again did evil before You. Therefore You left them in the hand of their enemies, So that they had dominion over them; Yet when they returned and cried out to You, You heard from heaven; And many times You delivered them according to Your mercies,
²⁹ And testified against them, That You might bring them back to Your law. Yet they acted proudly, And did not heed Your commandments, But sinned against Your judgments, 'Which if a man does, he shall live by them.' And they shrugged their shoulders, Stiffened their necks, And would not hear.
³⁰ Yet for many years You had patience with them, And testified against them by Your Spirit in Your prophets. Yet they would not listen; Therefore You gave them into the hand of the peoples of the lands.
³¹ Nevertheless in Your great mercy You did not utterly consume them nor forsake them; For You are God, gracious and merciful.
³² "Now therefore, our God, The great, the mighty, and awesome God, Who keeps covenant and mercy: Do not let all the trouble seem small before You That has come upon us, Our kings and our princes, Our priests and our prophets, Our fathers and on all Your people, From the days of the kings of Assyria until this day.
³³ However You are just in all that has befallen us; For You have dealt faithfully, But we have done wickedly.
³⁴ Neither our kings nor our princes, Our priests nor our fathers, Have kept Your law, Nor heeded Your commandments and Your testimonies, With which You testified against them.
³⁵ For they have not served You in their kingdom, Or in the many good things that You gave them, Or in the large and rich land which You set before them; Nor did they turn from their wicked works.
³⁶ "Here we are, servants today! And the land that You gave to our fathers, To eat its fruit and its bounty, Here we are, servants in it!
³⁷ And it yields much increase to the kings You have set over us, Because of our sins; Also they have dominion over our bodies and our cattle At their pleasure; And we are in great distress.
³⁸ "And because of all this, We make a sure covenant and write it; Our leaders, our Levites, and our priests seal it."

Nehemiah chapter 9 niv

¹ On the twenty-fourth day of the same month, the Israelites gathered together, fasting and wearing sackcloth and putting dust on their heads.
² Those of Israelite descent had separated themselves from all foreigners. They stood in their places and confessed their sins and the sins of their ancestors.
³ They stood where they were and read from the Book of the Law of the LORD their God for a quarter of the day, and spent another quarter in confession and in worshiping the LORD their God.
⁴ Standing on the stairs of the Levites were Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani and Kenani. They cried out with loud voices to the LORD their God.
⁵ And the Levites?Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah and Pethahiah?said: "Stand up and praise the LORD your God, who is from everlasting to everlasting." "Blessed be your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise.
⁶ You alone are the LORD. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you.
⁷ "You are the LORD God, who chose Abram and brought him out of Ur of the Chaldeans and named him Abraham.
⁸ You found his heart faithful to you, and you made a covenant with him to give to his descendants the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Jebusites and Girgashites. You have kept your promise because you are righteous.
⁹ "You saw the suffering of our ancestors in Egypt; you heard their cry at the Red Sea.
¹⁰ You sent signs and wonders against Pharaoh, against all his officials and all the people of his land, for you knew how arrogantly the Egyptians treated them. You made a name for yourself, which remains to this day.
¹¹ You divided the sea before them, so that they passed through it on dry ground, but you hurled their pursuers into the depths, like a stone into mighty waters.
¹² By day you led them with a pillar of cloud, and by night with a pillar of fire to give them light on the way they were to take.
¹³ "You came down on Mount Sinai; you spoke to them from heaven. You gave them regulations and laws that are just and right, and decrees and commands that are good.
¹⁴ You made known to them your holy Sabbath and gave them commands, decrees and laws through your servant Moses.
¹⁵ In their hunger you gave them bread from heaven and in their thirst you brought them water from the rock; you told them to go in and take possession of the land you had sworn with uplifted hand to give them.
¹⁶ "But they, our ancestors, became arrogant and stiff-necked, and they did not obey your commands.
¹⁷ They refused to listen and failed to remember the miracles you performed among them. They became stiff-necked and in their rebellion appointed a leader in order to return to their slavery. But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. Therefore you did not desert them,
¹⁸ even when they cast for themselves an image of a calf and said, 'This is your god, who brought you up out of Egypt,' or when they committed awful blasphemies.
¹⁹ "Because of your great compassion you did not abandon them in the wilderness. By day the pillar of cloud did not fail to guide them on their path, nor the pillar of fire by night to shine on the way they were to take.
²⁰ You gave your good Spirit to instruct them. You did not withhold your manna from their mouths, and you gave them water for their thirst.
²¹ For forty years you sustained them in the wilderness; they lacked nothing, their clothes did not wear out nor did their feet become swollen.
²² "You gave them kingdoms and nations, allotting to them even the remotest frontiers. They took over the country of Sihon king of Heshbon and the country of Og king of Bashan.
²³ You made their children as numerous as the stars in the sky, and you brought them into the land that you told their parents to enter and possess.
²⁴ Their children went in and took possession of the land. You subdued before them the Canaanites, who lived in the land; you gave the Canaanites into their hands, along with their kings and the peoples of the land, to deal with them as they pleased.
²⁵ They captured fortified cities and fertile land; they took possession of houses filled with all kinds of good things, wells already dug, vineyards, olive groves and fruit trees in abundance. They ate to the full and were well-nourished; they reveled in your great goodness.
²⁶ "But they were disobedient and rebelled against you; they turned their backs on your law. They killed your prophets, who had warned them in order to turn them back to you; they committed awful blasphemies.
²⁷ So you delivered them into the hands of their enemies, who oppressed them. But when they were oppressed they cried out to you. From heaven you heard them, and in your great compassion you gave them deliverers, who rescued them from the hand of their enemies.
²⁸ "But as soon as they were at rest, they again did what was evil in your sight. Then you abandoned them to the hand of their enemies so that they ruled over them. And when they cried out to you again, you heard from heaven, and in your compassion you delivered them time after time.
²⁹ "You warned them in order to turn them back to your law, but they became arrogant and disobeyed your commands. They sinned against your ordinances, of which you said, 'The person who obeys them will live by them.' Stubbornly they turned their backs on you, became stiff-necked and refused to listen.
³⁰ For many years you were patient with them. By your Spirit you warned them through your prophets. Yet they paid no attention, so you gave them into the hands of the neighboring peoples.
³¹ But in your great mercy you did not put an end to them or abandon them, for you are a gracious and merciful God.
³² "Now therefore, our God, the great God, mighty and awesome, who keeps his covenant of love, do not let all this hardship seem trifling in your eyes?the hardship that has come on us, on our kings and leaders, on our priests and prophets, on our ancestors and all your people, from the days of the kings of Assyria until today.
³³ In all that has happened to us, you have remained righteous; you have acted faithfully, while we acted wickedly.
³⁴ Our kings, our leaders, our priests and our ancestors did not follow your law; they did not pay attention to your commands or the statutes you warned them to keep.
³⁵ Even while they were in their kingdom, enjoying your great goodness to them in the spacious and fertile land you gave them, they did not serve you or turn from their evil ways.
³⁶ "But see, we are slaves today, slaves in the land you gave our ancestors so they could eat its fruit and the other good things it produces.
³⁷ Because of our sins, its abundant harvest goes to the kings you have placed over us. They rule over our bodies and our cattle as they please. We are in great distress.
³⁸ "In view of all this, we are making a binding agreement, putting it in writing, and our leaders, our Levites and our priests are affixing their seals to it."

Nehemiah chapter 9 esv

¹ Now on the twenty-fourth day of this month the people of Israel were assembled with fasting and in sackcloth, and with earth on their heads.
² And the Israelites separated themselves from all foreigners and stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers.
³ And they stood up in their place and read from the Book of the Law of the LORD their God for a quarter of the day; for another quarter of it they made confession and worshiped the LORD their God.
⁴ On the stairs of the Levites stood Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani; and they cried with a loud voice to the LORD their God.
⁵ Then the Levites, Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, said, "Stand up and bless the LORD your God from everlasting to everlasting. Blessed be your glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise.
⁶ "You are the LORD, you alone. You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them; and you preserve all of them; and the host of heaven worships you.
⁷ You are the LORD, the God who chose Abram and brought him out of Ur of the Chaldeans and gave him the name Abraham.
⁸ You found his heart faithful before you, and made with him the covenant to give to his offspring the land of the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, the Perizzite, the Jebusite, and the Girgashite. And you have kept your promise, for you are righteous.
⁹ "And you saw the affliction of our fathers in Egypt and heard their cry at the Red Sea,
¹⁰ and performed signs and wonders against Pharaoh and all his servants and all the people of his land, for you knew that they acted arrogantly against our fathers. And you made a name for yourself, as it is to this day.
¹¹ And you divided the sea before them, so that they went through the midst of the sea on dry land, and you cast their pursuers into the depths, as a stone into mighty waters.
¹² By a pillar of cloud you led them in the day, and by a pillar of fire in the night to light for them the way in which they should go.
¹³ You came down on Mount Sinai and spoke with them from heaven and gave them right rules and true laws, good statutes and commandments,
¹⁴ and you made known to them your holy Sabbath and commanded them commandments and statutes and a law by Moses your servant.
¹⁵ You gave them bread from heaven for their hunger and brought water for them out of the rock for their thirst, and you told them to go in to possess the land that you had sworn to give them.
¹⁶ "But they and our fathers acted presumptuously and stiffened their neck and did not obey your commandments.
¹⁷ They refused to obey and were not mindful of the wonders that you performed among them, but they stiffened their neck and appointed a leader to return to their slavery in Egypt. But you are a God ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and did not forsake them.
¹⁸ Even when they had made for themselves a golden calf and said, 'This is your God who brought you up out of Egypt,' and had committed great blasphemies,
¹⁹ you in your great mercies did not forsake them in the wilderness. The pillar of cloud to lead them in the way did not depart from them by day, nor the pillar of fire by night to light for them the way by which they should go.
²⁰ You gave your good Spirit to instruct them and did not withhold your manna from their mouth and gave them water for their thirst.
²¹ Forty years you sustained them in the wilderness, and they lacked nothing. Their clothes did not wear out and their feet did not swell.
²² "And you gave them kingdoms and peoples and allotted to them every corner. So they took possession of the land of Sihon king of Heshbon and the land of Og king of Bashan.
²³ You multiplied their children as the stars of heaven, and you brought them into the land that you had told their fathers to enter and possess.
²⁴ So the descendants went in and possessed the land, and you subdued before them the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, and gave them into their hand, with their kings and the peoples of the land, that they might do with them as they would.
²⁵ And they captured fortified cities and a rich land, and took possession of houses full of all good things, cisterns already hewn, vineyards, olive orchards and fruit trees in abundance. So they ate and were filled and became fat and delighted themselves in your great goodness.
²⁶ "Nevertheless, they were disobedient and rebelled against you and cast your law behind their back and killed your prophets, who had warned them in order to turn them back to you, and they committed great blasphemies.
²⁷ Therefore you gave them into the hand of their enemies, who made them suffer. And in the time of their suffering they cried out to you and you heard them from heaven, and according to your great mercies you gave them saviors who saved them from the hand of their enemies.
²⁸ But after they had rest they did evil again before you, and you abandoned them to the hand of their enemies, so that they had dominion over them. Yet when they turned and cried to you, you heard from heaven, and many times you delivered them according to your mercies.
²⁹ And you warned them in order to turn them back to your law. Yet they acted presumptuously and did not obey your commandments, but sinned against your rules, which if a person does them, he shall live by them, and they turned a stubborn shoulder and stiffened their neck and would not obey.
³⁰ Many years you bore with them and warned them by your Spirit through your prophets. Yet they would not give ear. Therefore you gave them into the hand of the peoples of the lands.
³¹ Nevertheless, in your great mercies you did not make an end of them or forsake them, for you are a gracious and merciful God.
³² "Now, therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love, let not all the hardship seem little to you that has come upon us, upon our kings, our princes, our priests, our prophets, our fathers, and all your people, since the time of the kings of Assyria until this day.
³³ Yet you have been righteous in all that has come upon us, for you have dealt faithfully and we have acted wickedly.
³⁴ Our kings, our princes, our priests, and our fathers have not kept your law or paid attention to your commandments and your warnings that you gave them.
³⁵ Even in their own kingdom, and amid your great goodness that you gave them, and in the large and rich land that you set before them, they did not serve you or turn from their wicked works.
³⁶ Behold, we are slaves this day; in the land that you gave to our fathers to enjoy its fruit and its good gifts, behold, we are slaves.
³⁷ And its rich yield goes to the kings whom you have set over us because of our sins. They rule over our bodies and over our livestock as they please, and we are in great distress.
³⁸ "Because of all this we make a firm covenant in writing; on the sealed document are the names of our princes, our Levites, and our priests.

Nehemiah chapter 9 nlt

¹ On October 31 the people assembled again, and this time they fasted and dressed in burlap and sprinkled dust on their heads.
² Those of Israelite descent separated themselves from all foreigners as they confessed their own sins and the sins of their ancestors.
³ They remained standing in place for three hours while the Book of the Law of the LORD their God was read aloud to them. Then for three more hours they confessed their sins and worshiped the LORD their God.
⁴ The Levites ? Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Kenani ? stood on the stairway of the Levites and cried out to the LORD their God with loud voices.
⁵ Then the leaders of the Levites ? Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah ? called out to the people: "Stand up and praise the LORD your God, for he lives from everlasting to everlasting!" Then they prayed: "May your glorious name be praised! May it be exalted above all blessing and praise!
⁶ "You alone are the LORD. You made the skies and the heavens and all the stars. You made the earth and the seas and everything in them. You preserve them all, and the angels of heaven worship you.
⁷ "You are the LORD God, who chose Abram and brought him from Ur of the Chaldeans and renamed him Abraham.
⁸ When he had proved himself faithful, you made a covenant with him to give him and his descendants the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Jebusites, and Girgashites. And you have done what you promised, for you are always true to your word.
⁹ "You saw the misery of our ancestors in Egypt, and you heard their cries from beside the Red Sea.
¹⁰ You displayed miraculous signs and wonders against Pharaoh, his officials, and all his people, for you knew how arrogantly they were treating our ancestors. You have a glorious reputation that has never been forgotten.
¹¹ You divided the sea for your people so they could walk through on dry land! And then you hurled their enemies into the depths of the sea. They sank like stones beneath the mighty waters.
¹² You led our ancestors by a pillar of cloud during the day and a pillar of fire at night so that they could find their way.
¹³ "You came down at Mount Sinai and spoke to them from heaven. You gave them regulations and instructions that were just, and decrees and commands that were good.
¹⁴ You instructed them concerning your holy Sabbath. And you commanded them, through Moses your servant, to obey all your commands, decrees, and instructions.
¹⁵ "You gave them bread from heaven when they were hungry and water from the rock when they were thirsty. You commanded them to go and take possession of the land you had sworn to give them.
¹⁶ "But our ancestors were proud and stubborn, and they paid no attention to your commands.
¹⁷ They refused to obey and did not remember the miracles you had done for them. Instead, they became stubborn and appointed a leader to take them back to their slavery in Egypt. But you are a God of forgiveness, gracious and merciful, slow to become angry, and rich in unfailing love. You did not abandon them,
¹⁸ even when they made an idol shaped like a calf and said, 'This is your god who brought you out of Egypt!' They committed terrible blasphemies.
¹⁹ "But in your great mercy you did not abandon them to die in the wilderness. The pillar of cloud still led them forward by day, and the pillar of fire showed them the way through the night.
²⁰ You sent your good Spirit to instruct them, and you did not stop giving them manna from heaven or water for their thirst.
²¹ For forty years you sustained them in the wilderness, and they lacked nothing. Their clothes did not wear out, and their feet did not swell!
²² "Then you helped our ancestors conquer kingdoms and nations, and you placed your people in every corner of the land. They took over the land of King Sihon of Heshbon and the land of King Og of Bashan.
²³ You made their descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and brought them into the land you had promised to their ancestors.
²⁴ "They went in and took possession of the land. You subdued whole nations before them. Even the Canaanites, who inhabited the land, were powerless! Your people could deal with these nations and their kings as they pleased.
²⁵ Our ancestors captured fortified cities and fertile land. They took over houses full of good things, with cisterns already dug and vineyards and olive groves and fruit trees in abundance. So they ate until they were full and grew fat and enjoyed themselves in all your blessings.
²⁶ "But despite all this, they were disobedient and rebelled against you. They turned their backs on your Law, they killed your prophets who warned them to return to you, and they committed terrible blasphemies.
²⁷ So you handed them over to their enemies, who made them suffer. But in their time of trouble they cried to you, and you heard them from heaven. In your great mercy, you sent them liberators who rescued them from their enemies.
²⁸ "But as soon as they were at peace, your people again committed evil in your sight, and once more you let their enemies conquer them. Yet whenever your people turned and cried to you again for help, you listened once more from heaven. In your wonderful mercy, you rescued them many times!
²⁹ "You warned them to return to your Law, but they became proud and obstinate and disobeyed your commands. They did not follow your regulations, by which people will find life if only they obey. They stubbornly turned their backs on you and refused to listen.
³⁰ In your love, you were patient with them for many years. You sent your Spirit, who warned them through the prophets. But still they wouldn't listen! So once again you allowed the peoples of the land to conquer them.
³¹ But in your great mercy, you did not destroy them completely or abandon them forever. What a gracious and merciful God you are!
³² "And now, our God, the great and mighty and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of unfailing love, do not let all the hardships we have suffered seem insignificant to you. Great trouble has come upon us and upon our kings and leaders and priests and prophets and ancestors ? all of your people ? from the days when the kings of Assyria first triumphed over us until now.
³³ Every time you punished us you were being just. We have sinned greatly, and you gave us only what we deserved.
³⁴ Our kings, leaders, priests, and ancestors did not obey your Law or listen to the warnings in your commands and laws.
³⁵ Even while they had their own kingdom, they did not serve you, though you showered your goodness on them. You gave them a large, fertile land, but they refused to turn from their wickedness.
³⁶ "So now today we are slaves in the land of plenty that you gave our ancestors for their enjoyment! We are slaves here in this good land.
³⁷ The lush produce of this land piles up in the hands of the kings whom you have set over us because of our sins. They have power over us and our livestock. We serve them at their pleasure, and we are in great misery."
³⁸ The people responded, "In view of all this, we are making a solemn promise and putting it in writing. On this sealed document are the names of our leaders and Levites and priests."