Nehemiah 9:29-31

New Catholic Bible

²⁹ You solemnly warned them
    in order to bring them back to your law.
However, they became arrogant
    and refused to obey your commandments,
and they sinned against your ordinances
    whose observance would bring life
    to those who keep them.
Rather they stubbornly turned aside,
    and in their obstinacy they refused to obey.
³⁰ “You were patient with them for many years
    and warned them by your spirit
    through the prophets.
However, when they continued to refuse to listen,
    you put them at the mercy
    of the people of other lands.
³¹ Yet even so, because of your great compassion,
    you did not completely destroy them,
nor did you forsake them,
    for you are a gracious and merciful God.