15 But in the desert I had to make another promise to the Israelites. I had to promise I would not bring them into the land I had given them. It is a land where much food grows. It is the best of all the lands.
16 This is because they rejected my laws. They did not follow my rules. They dishonored my Sabbaths. They would rather worship their idols.
17 But I had pity on them. I did not destroy them. I did not put an end to them in the desert.
18 I said to their children in the desert, “Don’t live by the rules of your fathers. Don’t obey their laws. Don’t make yourselves unclean with their idols.
19 I am the Lord your God. Live by my rules. Obey my laws and do them.
20 Keep my Sabbaths holy. They will be a sign between me and you. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.”
21 “‘But the people turned against me. If a person obeys my laws, he will live. But they did not live by my rules. They were not careful to obey my laws. They dishonored my Sabbaths. So I decided to pour out my anger against them. I decided to carry out my anger against them in the desert.