Then Mosesentreatedthe LORDhis God,and said,"O LORD,whydoes Your angerburnagainst Your peoplewhomYou have broughtout from the landof Egyptwith greatpowerand with a mightyhand?
And Abrahamreplied,"Nowbehold,I have venturedto speakto the Lord,although I am [but] dustand ashes.
(for they are Your peopleand Your inheritancewhichYou have broughtforthfrom Egypt,from the midstof the ironfurnace),
"They are Your servantsand Your peoplewhomYou redeemedby Your greatpowerand by Your stronghand.
Therefore He saidthat He would destroythem, Had not MosesHis chosenone stoodin the breachbeforeHim, To turnawayHis wrathfrom destroying[them].
Then the LORDspoketo Moses,"Godownat once,for your people,whomyou broughtup from the landof Egypt,have corrupted[themselves].
"Say,therefore,to the sonsof Israel,I am the LORD,and I will bringyou out from underthe burdensof the Egyptians,and I will deliveryou from their bondage.I will also redeemyou with an outstretchedarmand with greatjudgments.
Then Pharaohcalledfor Mosesand Aaronand said,"Entreatthe LORDthat He removethe frogsfrom me and from my people;and I will letthe peoplego,that they may sacrificeto the LORD."
Why,O LORD,do You cause us to strayfrom Your waysAnd hardenour heartfrom fearingYou? Returnfor the sakeof Your servants,the tribesof Your heritage.
Then the LORDsaidto me, "Even thoughMosesand Samuelwere to standbeforeMe, My heartwould not be with thispeople;sendthem awayfrom My presenceand let them go!
See,O LORD,and look!With whomhave You dealtthus?Should womeneattheir offspring,The littleoneswhowere bornhealthy?Should priestand prophetbe slainIn the sanctuaryof the Lord?
"But I actedfor the sakeof My name,that it should not be profanedin the sightof the nationsamongwhomthey [lived], in whosesightI madeMyself knownto them by bringingthem out of the landof Egypt.
"And now,O Lordour God,whohave broughtYour peopleout of the landof Egyptwith a mightyhandand have madea namefor Yourself, as it is thisday--we have sinned,we have beenwicked.
Let the priests,the LORD'Sministers,Weepbetweenthe porchand the altar,And let them say,"SpareYour people,O LORD,And do not makeYour inheritancea reproach,A bywordamong the nations.Whyshould they among the peoplessay,Whereis their God?'"
So Mosessaidto the LORD,"Whyhave You been so hardon Your servant?And whyhave I not foundfavorin Your sight,that You have laidthe burdenof allthispeopleon me?
But Mosessaidto the LORD,"Then the Egyptianswill hearof it, for by Your strengthYou broughtup thispeoplefrom their midst,
But they fellon their facesand said,"O God,Godof the spiritsof allflesh,when onemansins,will You be angrywith the entirecongregation?"
So the peoplecameto Mosesand said,"We have sinned,becausewe have spokenagainst the LORDand you; intercedewith the LORD,that He may removethe serpentsfrom us." And Mosesintercededfor the people.
"Whyshould the nameof our fatherbe withdrawnfrom amonghis familybecausehe hadnoson?Giveus a possessionamongour father'sbrothers."
"I regretthat I have madeSaulking,for he has turnedbackfrom followingMe and has not carriedout My commands."And Samuelwas distressedand criedout to the LORDallnight.
