17. But in the desert,the people of God Most Highkept sinning and rebelling.
18. They stubbornly tested Godand demanded from himwhat they wanted to eat.
19. They challenged God by saying,“Can God provide foodout here in the desert?
20. It's true God struck the rockand water gushed outlike a river,but can he give his peoplebread and meat?”
21. When the Lord heard this,he was angry and furiouswith Jacob's descendants,the people of Israel.
22. They had refused to trust him,and they had doubtedhis saving power.
23. But God gave a commandto the clouds,and he opened the doorsin the skies.
24. From heaven he sent grainthat they called manna.
25. He gave them more than enough,and each one of them atethis special food.
26. God's mighty powerbrought a strong windfrom the south-east,
27. and it brought birdsthat covered the ground,like sand on the beach.
28. Then God made the birds fallin the camp of his peoplenear their tents.
29. God gave his peopleall they wanted,and each of them ateuntil they were full.
30. But before they had swallowedthe last bite,
31. God became angry and killedthe strongest and bestfrom the families of Israel.
32. But the rest kept on sinningand would not trustGod's miracles.
33. So he cut their lives shortand made them terrified.
34. After he killed some of them,the others turned to himwith all their hearts.