Numbers 11:10–20

10 Moses heard the people of every family wailingl at the entrance to their tents. The Lord became exceedingly angry, and Moses was troubled. 11 He asked the Lord, “Why have you brought this troublem on your servant? What have I done to displease you that you put the burden of all these people on me?n 12 Did I conceive all these people? Did I give them birth? Why do you tell me to carry them in my arms, as a nurse carries an infant,o to the land you promised on oathp to their ancestors?q 13 Where can I get meat for all these people?r They keep wailing to me, ‘Give us meat to eat!’ 14 I cannot carry all these people by myself; the burden is too heavy for me.s 15 If this is how you are going to treat me, please go ahead and kill met—if I have found favor in your eyes—and do not let me face my own ruin.”

16 The Lord said to Moses: “Bring me seventy of Israel’s eldersu who are known to you as leaders and officials among the people.v Have them come to the tent of meeting,w that they may stand there with you. 17 I will come down and speak with youx there, and I will take some of the power of the Spirit that is on you and put it on them.y They will share the burden of the people with you so that you will not have to carry it alone.z

18 “Tell the people: ‘Consecrate yourselvesa in preparation for tomorrow, when you will eat meat. The Lord heard you when you wailed,b “If only we had meat to eat! We were better off in Egypt!”c Now the Lord will give you meat,d and you will eat it. 19 You will not eat it for just one day, or two days, or five, ten or twenty days, 20 but for a whole month—until it comes out of your nostrils and you loathe ite—because you have rejected the Lord,f who is among you, and have wailed before him, saying, “Why did we ever leave Egypt?” ’ ”g