Nehemiah 9:29-31

The Voice

²⁹     You also warned them to return to Your ways
        and follow the laws You have given.
        They arrogantly violated the very commands,
    Which if they would obey them
        then they would live by them.
    Stubborn, they turned away from You,
        tensed their necks, and stopped listening.
³⁰     Year after year, Your patience endured.
        Your Spirit animated prophets, and they spoke many warnings to them.
    In not listening and turning away from the prophets,
        they turned directly into their advancing enemies.
³¹     It was because of Your great mercy
        that they were not completely annihilated or forsaken.
    You are a grace-filled and mercy-laden God;