1. And the people were as murmurers, speaking evil in the ears of the Lord: and when the Lord heard it, his anger was kindled; and the fire of the Lord burnt among them, and devoured in the uttermost part of the camp.
2. And the people cried unto Moses; and Moses prayed unto the Lord, and the fire abated.
3. And the name of that place was called Taberah: because the fire of the Lord burnt among them.
4. And the mixed multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat?
5. We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt for nought; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick:
6. but now our soul is dried away; there is nothing at all: we have nought save this manna to look to.
7. And the manna was like coriander seed, and the appearance thereof as the appearance of bdellium.
8. The people went about, and gathered it, and ground it in mills, or beat it in mortars, and seethed it in pots, and made cakes of it: and the taste of it was as the taste of fresh oil.
9. And when the dew fell upon the camp in the night, the manna fell upon it.
10. And Moses heard the people weeping throughout their families, every man at the door of his tent: and the anger of the Lord was kindled greatly; and Moses was displeased.
11. And Moses said unto the Lord, Wherefore hast thou evil entreated thy servant? and wherefore have I not found favour in thy sight, that thou layest the burden of all this people upon me?
12. Have I conceived all this people? have I brought them forth, that thou shouldest say unto me, Carry them in thy bosom, as a nursing-father carrieth the sucking child, unto the land which thou swarest unto their fathers?
13. Whence should I have flesh to give unto all this people? for they weep unto me, saying, Give us flesh, that we may eat.
14. I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me.
15. And if thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray thee, out of hand, if I have found favour in thy sight; and let me not see my wretchedness.
16. And the Lord said unto Moses, Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them unto the tent of meeting, that they may stand there with thee.
17. And I will come down and talk with thee there: and I will take of the spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear it not thyself alone.
18. And say thou unto the people, Sanctify yourselves against tomorrow, and ye shall eat flesh: for ye have wept in the ears of the Lord, saying, Who shall give us flesh to eat? for it was well with us in Egypt: therefore the Lord will give you flesh, and ye shall eat.