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The Lord Promises To Be with His People

12 Moses said to the Lord, “I know that you have told me to lead these people to the land you promised them. But you have not said who will go along to help me. You have said that you are my friend and that you are pleased with me. 13 If this is true, let me know what your plans are, then I can obey and continue to please you. And don't forget that you have chosen this nation to be your own.”

14 The Lord said, “I will go with you and give you peace.”

15 Then Moses replied, “If you aren't going with us, please don't make us leave this place. 16 But if you do go with us, everyone will know that you are pleased with your people and with me. That way, we will be different from the rest of the people on earth.”

17 So the Lord told him, “I will do what you have asked, because I am your friend and I am pleased with you.”

18 Then Moses said, “I pray that you will let me see you in all of your glory.”

19 (A) The Lord answered:

All right. I am the Lord, and I show mercy and kindness to anyone I choose. I will let you see my glory and hear my holy name, 20 but I won't let you see my face, because anyone who sees my face will die. 21 There is a rock not far from me. Stand beside it, 22 and before I pass by in all of my shining glory, I will put you in a large crack in the rock. I will cover your eyes with my hand until I have passed by. 23 Then I will take my hand away, and you will see my back. You will not see my face.

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Moses and the Glory of the Lord

12 Moses said to the Lord, “You have been telling me, ‘Lead these people,’(A) but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, ‘I know you by name(B) and you have found favor(C) with me.’ 13 If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways(D) so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.”(E)

14 The Lord replied, “My Presence(F) will go with you, and I will give you rest.”(G)

15 Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence(H) does not go with us, do not send us up from here. 16 How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us?(I) What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?”(J)

17 And the Lord said to Moses, “I will do the very thing you have asked,(K) because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.”(L)

18 Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.”(M)

19 And the Lord said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass(N) in front of you, and I will proclaim my name,(O) the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.(P) 20 But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see(Q) me and live.”

21 Then the Lord said, “There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. 22 When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock(R) and cover you with my hand(S) until I have passed by. 23 Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen.”

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