Hear my law, O my people;
incline your ears unto the
words of my mouth.
I will open my mouth in a parable;
I will
declare hard sentences of old (which we have heard and
known, and such as our fathers have told us), that we should
not hide them from the children of the generations to come
but to show the honour of the Lord, his mighty and wonderful
works that he hath done.
He made a covenant with Jacob, and gave Israel a law, which he commanded our forefathers to teach their children, that their posterity might know it, and the children which were yet unborn, to the intent that when they came up, they might show their children the same, that they might put their trust in God, and not to forget the works of God, but to keep his commandments and not to be as their forefathers, a faithless and stubborn generation (a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit cleaveth not steadfastly unto God), like as the children of Ephraim, who being harnessed, and carrying bows, turned themselves back in the day of battle.
They kept not the covenant of God, and would not walk in his law, but forgot what he had done, and the wonderful works that he had showed for them.
Marvellous things did he in the sight of our forefathers, in the land of Egypt, even in the field of Zoan.
He divided the sea, and let them go
through;
he made the waters to stand on an heap.
In the daytime also he led them with a cloud, and all the night through with a light of fire.
He clove the hard rocks in the wilderness, and gave them drink thereof, as it had been out of the great depth.
He brought waters out of the stony rock, so that it gushed out like the rivers.
Yet for all this they sinned more against him, and provoked the Most Highest in the wilderness.
They tempted God in their hearts, and required meat for their lust.
They spoke
against God also, saying, Shall God prepare a table in the
wilderness? He smote the stony rock indeed, that the water
gushed out, and the streams flowed withal;
but can he give
bread also, or provide flesh for his people?
When the Lord heard this, he was wroth;
so the fire was
kindled in Jacob, and there came up heavy displeasure
against Israel, because they believed not in God, and put not
their trust in his help.
So he commanded the clouds above, and opened the doors of heaven.
He rained down manna also upon them for to eat, and gave them food from heaven.
So
man did eat angels? food;
for he sent them meat enough.
He
caused the east wind to blow under heaven;
and through his
power he brought in the south-west wind.
He rained down manna upon them as thick as dust, and feathered fowls like as the sand of the sea.
He let it fall among their tents, even round about their habitation.
So they did eat, and were well
filled, for he gave them their own desire;
they were not disappointed
of their lust.
But while the meat was yet in their mouths, the heavy wrath of God came upon them, and slew the wealthiest of them, yea, and smote down the chosen men that were in Israel.
But for all this they sinned yet more, and believed not his wondrous works.
Therefore their days did he consume in vanity, and their years in trouble.
When he slew them, they sought him, and turned them early, and inquired after God.
And they remembered that God was their strength, and that the high God was their redeemer.
Nevertheless, they did but flatter him with their mouth, and dissembled with him in their tongue.
For their heart was not whole with him, neither continued they steadfast in his covenant.
But he was so merciful, that he forgave their misdeeds, and destroyed them not.
Yea, many a time turned he arise.
For he considered that they were but flesh, and that they were even a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again.