11 oAnd Moses said unto the Lord, Wherefore hast thou afflicted 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 begotten them, that thou shouldest say unto me, pCarry them in thy bosom, as a qnursing father beareth the sucking child, unto the land which thou rswarest unto their fathers? 13 sWhence should I have flesh to give unto all this people? for they weep unto me, saying, Give us flesh, that we may eat. 14 tI am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me. 15 And if thou deal thus with me, ukill me, I pray thee, out of hand, if I have found favour in thy sight; and let me not xsee my wretchedness.

16 And the Lord said unto Moses, Gather unto me yseventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people, and zofficers over them; and bring them unto the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand there with thee.