The LORD is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation.
The LORD is very patient and full of kindness. He forgives people's mistakes and wrongdoings but doesn't excuse those who are guilty. Sometimes, He punishes the bad actions of parents by affecting their children for three or four generations.