14 They will tell the residents of this land about it. Already they have heard that You, Adonai, are in the midst of this people, that You, Adonai, have been seen eye to eye, that Your cloud remains over them, and that in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night You go before them.
15 If you kill these people all at once, the nations who have heard this report about You will say,
16 ‘Because Adonai was unable to bring this people to the land He had promised them, He has slaughtered them in the wilderness.’
17 “So please, let Adonai show His strength, just as You have spoken saying,
18 ‘Adonai is slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, forgiving iniquity and transgression. Still, He does not leave the guilty unpunished, bringing the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations.’
19 Forgive now the guiltiness of this people in accordance with the greatness of Your lovingkindness, just as You have pardoned this people from Egypt until now!”
20 Adonai answered, “I have forgiven them just as you have spoken.