12. Did I conceive this entire people? Did I give birth to them, that you should say to me, ‘Carry them in your arms, as a foster father bears a nursing child,’ to the land which you swore to their fathers?
13. From where shall I get meat to give to this entire people, for they cry to me, ‘Give us meat, that we may eat!’
14. I am not able to bear this entire people alone, because it is too heavy for me!
15. But if you are going to deal with me like this, then kill me immediately. If I have found favor in your sight then do not let me see my trouble.”
16. The Lord said to Moses, “Gather to me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know are elders of the people and officials over them, and bring them to the tent of meeting; let them take their position there with you.
17. Then I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take part of the spirit that is on you, and will put it on them, and they will bear some of the burden of the people with you, so that you do not bear it all by yourself.
18. “And say to the people, ‘Sanctify yourselves for tomorrow, and you will eat meat, for you have wept in the hearing of the Lord, saying, “Who will give us meat to eat, for life was good for us in Egypt?” Therefore the Lord will give you meat, and you will eat.
19. You will eat, not just one day, nor two days, nor five days, nor ten days, nor twenty days,
20. but a whole month, until it comes out your nostrils and makes you sick, because you have despised the Lord who is among you and have wept before him, saying, “Why did we ever come out of Egypt?”’”