Exodus 33:12-23

12Moses said to the Lord, ‘You have said to me, “Lead these people to their new land.” But you have not told me who my helper will be on the journey. You have told me, “I know you by your name. I am very pleased with you.”

13If you are really pleased with me, tell me your thoughts. I want to understand you properly. Then I can continue to please you. Remember that this nation, the Israelites, are your own people.’

14The Lord replied, ‘I myself will go with you. I will give you rest.’

15Then Moses said, ‘If you do not agree to go with us, do not let us go anywhere.

16If you do not go with us, nobody will know that you are pleased with me. Nobody will know that you are pleased with us as your special people. I, and all your people, will be the same as all the other people in the world.’

17The Lord said to Moses, ‘I will certainly do what you have asked for. This is because I am pleased with you. I know you by your name.’

18Then Moses said, ‘Please, show me your glory!’

19The Lord said, ‘I will let you see how great and good I am. I will tell you my name, that I am the Lord. If I choose to be kind to someone, I will be kind to them. If I choose to forgive someone, I will forgive them.

20But you will never see my face. Nobody can see my face and still be alive.’

21Then the Lord said, ‘Look! There is a place near to me. You can stand there on a rock.

22When my glory passes in front of you, I will put you in a hole in the rock. I will cover your eyes with my hand as I pass by there.

23Then I will remove my hand so that you will see my back. But nobody must ever see my face.’