3. Why is the Lord bringing us to this land to be killed with swords? Our wives and children will be taken away. We would be better off going back to Egypt.”
4. They said to each other, “Let’s choose a leader and go back to Egypt.”
5. Then Moses and Aaron bowed facedown in front of all the Israelites gathered there.
6. Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who had explored the land, tore their clothes.
7. They said to all of the Israelites, “The land we explored is very good.
8. If the Lord is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land and give us that fertile land.
9. Don’t turn against the Lord! Don’t be afraid of the people in that land! We will chew them up. They have no protection, but the Lord is with us. So don’t be afraid of them.”
10. Then all the people talked about killing them with stones. But the glory of the Lord appeared at the Meeting Tent to all the Israelites.
11. The Lord said to Moses, “How long will these people ignore me? How long will they not believe me in spite of the miracles I have done among them?
12. I will give them a terrible sickness and get rid of them. But I will make you into a great nation that will be stronger than they are.”
13. Then Moses said to the Lord, “The Egyptians will hear about it! You brought these people from there by your great power,
14. and the Egyptians will tell this to those who live in this land. They have already heard about you, Lord. They know that you are with your people and that you were seen face to face. They know that your cloud stays over your people and that you lead your people with that cloud during the day and with fire at night.
15. If you put these people to death all at once, the nations who have heard about your power will say,
16. ‘The Lord was not able to bring them into the land he promised them. So he killed them in the desert.’
17. “So show your strength now, Lord. Do what you said: