Sifre on Deuteronomy, Ekev 49

To walk in God's ways" (Deuteronomy 11:22). These are the ways of the Holy One: "gracious and compassionate, patient, abounding in kindness and faithfulness, assuring love for a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin, and granting pardon." (Exodus 34:6). All who are called in God's name will survive.(Joel 3:5) How is it possible for a person to be called by God's name? Rather, God is called "merciful"—so too, you should be merciful. God is called "gracious" as it says, “God, merciful and gracious” (Psalms 145:8)—so too, you should be gracious and give gifts for nothing. God is called "just" as it says, “For God is righteous and loves righteousness” (Psalms 11:7)—so too, you should be just." God is called “merciful”: “For I am merciful, says the Lord.” (Jeremiah 3:12) so too you be merciful. That is why it is said, “And it shall come to pass that all who are called in God's name will survive.” This means that just as God is gracious, compassionate, and forgiving, you too must be gracious, compassionate, and forgiving. [Translation by Rabbi Jill Jacobs]