2 And the whole congregation of the people of Israel ^ugrumbled ^vagainst Moses and Aaron in the wilderness, 3 and the people of Israel said to them, ^w“Would that we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, ^xwhen we sat by the meat pots and ate bread to the full, for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.”

The People Rebel

1 ^rThen all the congregation raised a loud cry, and the people wept that night. 2 And all the people of Israel ^sgrumbled against Moses and Aaron. The whole congregation said to them, ^t“Would that we had died in the land of Egypt! Or would that we had died in this wilderness! 3 ^uWhy is the Lord bringing us into this land, to fall by the sword? Our wives and ^vour little ones will become a prey. Would it not be better for us to go back to Egypt?” 4 And they said to one another, ^w“Let us choose a leader and go back to Egypt.”

16 “But they and our fathers acted presumptuously and ^gstiffened their neck and did not obey your commandments. 17 They refused to obey and were not mindful of the wonders that you performed among them, but they stiffened their neck and ^happointed a leader to return to their slavery in Egypt.¹ But you are a God ready to forgive, ⁱgracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and did not forsake them.