But I withheld my hand means God stopped himself from punishing the next generation of disobedient Israelites. He did not punish them as he had thought about doing in verse 21. In some languages it will be necessary to make this meaning explicit by saying “But I decided not to punish them.” Good News Translation and Contemporary English Version say simply “But I did not.” There is no reason to follow New English Bible, which omits this clause.

And acted for the sake of my name, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations: See Ezek 20.9.

In whose sight I had brought them out: See verse 14.

Quoted with permission from Gross, Carl & Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on Ezekiel. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2016. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .