15 If now you slay this people all at once, the nations who have heard such reports of you will say,
16 ‘The Lord was not able to bring this people into the land he swore to give them; that is why he slaughtered them in the wilderness.’
17 Now then, may my Lord’s forbearance be great, even as you have said,
18 ‘The Lord is slow to anger and abounding in kindness, forgiving iniquity and rebellion; yet certainly not declaring the guilty guiltless, but punishing children to the third and fourth generation for their parents’ iniquity.’
19 Pardon, then, the iniquity of this people in keeping with your great kindness, even as you have forgiven them from Egypt until now.”
20 The Lord answered: I pardon them as you have asked.
21 Yet, by my life and the Lord’s glory that fills the whole earth,