Nehemiah 9:16-18

New Century Version

¹⁶ “But our ancestors were proud and stubborn
    and did not obey your commands.
¹⁷ They refused to listen;
    they forgot the miracles you did for them.
So they became stubborn and turned against you,
    choosing a leader to take them back to slavery.
But you are a forgiving God.
    You are kind and full of mercy.
You do not become angry quickly, and you have great love.
    So you did not leave them.
¹⁸ Our ancestors even made an idol of a calf for themselves.
    They said, ‘This is your god, Israel,
    who brought you up out of Egypt.’
They spoke against you.