Nehemiah 9:25-27

The Voice

²⁵     They overwhelmed strong and secure cities.
        They overtook fertile, productive land.
    They claimed well-furnished houses, wells that were already dug,
        vineyards, olive groves, and orchards filled with fruit.
    They ate their fill. They grew fat.
        They basked in Your generosity and goodness.
²⁶     Even so, again they chose to defy You.
        They rebelled.
        They abandoned Your law.
    They killed the prophets who spoke Your word,
        who pleaded with them to return to You, God.
    And again, atrocities multiplied on top of atrocities.
²⁷     So You surrendered them to their enemies,
        and Your people suffered at their hands.
    And in pain, they cried out to You.
        From heaven You listened,
    And in keeping with Your changeless and compassionate character,
        You sent them liberators,
    Saviors who rescued them from their cruel adversaries.