The Holy One blessed be He said to Moses: ‘I will eradicate them from before Me.’ He said before Him: ‘Master of the universe, you are slow to anger. A slave, if his deeds are good and he heeds his master, and his master looks upon him favorably, they do not give credit to his master. When do they give credit? It is when the slave is wayward, but his master looks upon him favorably. So, too, You, do not look upon their stubbornness, as it is stated: “Do not turn to the stubbornness of this people”’ (Deuteronomy 9:27). The Holy One blessed be He said to him: ‘For your sake, I will pardon them,’ as it is stated: “I have pardoned in accordance with your word” (Numbers 14:20).