"However, You are justin allthat has comeupon us; For You have dealtfaithfully,but we have actedwickedly.
"Farbe it from You to dosucha thing,to slaythe righteouswith the wicked,so that the righteousand the wickedare [treated] alike. Farbe it from You! Shall not the Judgeof allthe earthdealjustly?"
"O LORDGodof Israel,You are righteous,for we have been leftan escapedremnant,as [it is] thisday;behold,we are beforeYou in our guilt,for noonecan standbeforeYou becauseof this."
"For our kings,our leaders,our priestsand our fathershave not keptYour lawOr paidattentionto Your commandmentsand Your admonitionswith whichYou have admonishedthem.
"You foundhis heartfaithfulbeforeYou, And madea covenantwith him To give[him] the landof the Canaanite,Of the Hittiteand the Amorite,Of the Perizzite,the Jebusiteand the Girgashite--To give[it] to his descendants.And You have fulfilledYour promise,For You are righteous.
"He will singto menand say,I have sinnedand pervertedwhatis right,And it is not properfor me.
"For He does not [need to] considera manfurther,That he should gobeforeGodin judgment.
We have sinnedlikeour fathers,We have committediniquity,we have behavedwickedly.
Righteousare You, O LORD,And uprightare Your judgments.
The LORDis righteousin allHis waysAnd kindin allHis deeds.
Then Mosesreturnedto the LORD,and said,"Alas,thispeoplehas committeda greatsin,and they have madea godof goldfor themselves.
Righteousare You, O LORD,that I would plead[my] casewith You; IndeedI would discussmattersof justicewith You: Whyhas the wayof the wickedprospered?[Why] are allthose who dealin treacheryat ease?
becauseof their wickednesswhichthey committedso as to provokeMe to angerby continuingto burnsacrifices[and] to serveothergodswhomthey had not known,[neither] they, you, noryour fathers.
"The LORDis righteous;For I have rebelledagainstHis command;Hearnow,allpeoples,And beholdmy pain;My virginsand my youngmenHave goneinto captivity.
"Thus you will knowthat I am the LORD;for you have not walkedin My statutesnorhave you executedMy ordinances,but have actedaccording to the ordinancesof the nationsaroundyou."'"
