1. Then the whole community began weeping aloud, and they cried all night.
2. Their voices rose in a great chorus of protest against Moses and Aaron. “If only we had died in Egypt, or even here in the wilderness!” they complained.
3. “Why is the lord taking us to this country only to have us die in battle? Our wives and our little ones will be carried off as plunder! Wouldn’t it be better for us to return to Egypt?”
4. Then they plotted among themselves, “Let’s choose a new leader and go back to Egypt!”
5. Then Moses and Aaron fell face down on the ground before the whole community of Israel.
6. Two of the men who had explored the land, Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, tore their clothing.
7. They said to all the people of Israel, “The land we traveled through and explored is a wonderful land!