³⁸ But He, being ^(A)compassionate, ^[a](B)forgave their wrongdoing and did not destroy them;
And often He ^[b](C)restrained His anger
And did not stir up all His wrath.

²³ Therefore ^(A)He said that He would destroy them,
If ^(B)Moses, His chosen one, had not stood in the gap before Him,
To turn away His wrath from destroying them.