4For it is a statute for Israel,
         An ordinance of the God of Jacob.

5He established it for a testimony in Joseph
         When he went throughout the land of Egypt.
         I heard a language that I did not know:

6“I relieved his shoulder of the burden,
         His hands were freed from the basket.

7“You called in trouble and I rescued you;
         I answered you in the hiding place of thunder;
         I proved you at the waters of Meribah.

8“Hear, O My people, and I will admonish you;
         O Israel, if you would listen to Me!

9“Let there be no strange god among you;
         Nor shall you worship any foreign god.

10“I, the LORD, am your God,
         Who brought you up from the land of Egypt;
         Open your mouth wide and I will fill it.

11“But My people did not listen to My voice,
         And Israel did not obey Me.

12“So I gave them over to the stubbornness of their heart,
         To walk in their own devices.

13“Oh that My people would listen to Me,
         That Israel would walk in My ways!

14“I would quickly subdue their enemies
         And turn My hand against their adversaries.

15“Those who hate the LORD would pretend obedience to Him,
         And their time of punishment would be forever.

16“But I would feed you with the finest of the wheat,
         And with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.”

NASB ©1995