17 The Lord said to Moses: This request, too, which you have made, I will carry out, because you have found favor with me and you are my intimate friend.
18 Then Moses said, “Please let me see your glory!”
19 The Lord answered: I will make all my goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim my name, “Lord,” before you; I who show favor to whom I will, I who grant mercy to whom I will.
20 But you cannot see my face, for no one can see me and live.
21 Here, continued the Lord, is a place near me where you shall station yourself on the rock.
22 When my glory passes I will set you in the cleft of the rock and will cover you with my hand until I have passed by.
23 Then I will remove my hand, so that you may see my back; but my face may not be seen.