Quail From the Lord

⁴ The rabble with them began to crave other food,^(A) and again the Israelites started wailing^(B) and said, “If only we had meat to eat! ⁵ We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost—also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic.^{(C) 6} But now we have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna!^(D)”

¹⁰ Moses heard the people of every family wailing^(A) 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 trouble^(B) on your servant? What have I done to displease you that you put the burden of all these people on me?^{(C) 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,^(D) to the land you promised on oath^(E) to their ancestors?^{(F) 13} Where can I get meat for all these people?^(G) 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.^{(H) 15} If this is how you are going to treat me, please go ahead and kill me^(I)—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 elders^(J) who are known to you as leaders and officials among the people.^(K) Have them come to the tent of meeting,^(L) that they may stand there with you.

²⁴ So Moses went out and told the people what the Lord had said. He brought together seventy of their elders and had them stand around the tent. ²⁵ Then the Lord came down in the cloud^(A) and spoke with him,^(B) and he took some of the power of the Spirit^(C) that was on him and put it on the seventy elders.^(D) When the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied^(E)—but did not do so again.

²⁶ However, two men, whose names were Eldad and Medad, had remained in the camp. They were listed among the elders, but did not go out to the tent. Yet the Spirit also rested on them,^(F) and they prophesied in the camp. ²⁷ A young man ran and told Moses, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.”

²⁸ Joshua son of Nun,^(G) who had been Moses’ aide^(H) since youth, spoke up and said, “Moses, my lord, stop them!”^(I)

²⁹ But Moses replied, “Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all the Lord’s people were prophets^(J) and that the Lord would put his Spirit^(K) on them!”^(L)

Warning to Rich Oppressors

5 Now listen,^(A) you rich people,^(B) weep and wail^(C) because of the misery that is coming on you. ² Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes.^{(D) 3} Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days.^{(E) 4} Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers^(F) who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries^(G) of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty.^{(H) 5} You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves^(I) in the day of slaughter.^{[a](J) 6} You have condemned and murdered^(K) the innocent one,^(L) who was not opposing you.

Patience in Suffering

⁷ Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming.^(M) See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting^(N) for the autumn and spring rains.^{(O) 8} You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming^(P) is near.^{(Q) 9} Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters,^(R) or you will be judged. The Judge^(S) is standing at the door!^(T)

¹⁰ Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets^(U) who spoke in the name of the Lord. ¹¹ As you know, we count as blessed^(V) those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance^(W) and have seen what the Lord finally brought about.^(X) The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.^(Y)

¹² Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned.^(Z)

The Prayer of Faith

¹³ Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray.^(A) Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise.^{(B) 14} Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders^(C) of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil^(D) in the name of the Lord. ¹⁵ And the prayer offered in faith^(E) will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. ¹⁶ Therefore confess your sins^(F) to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.^(G) The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.^(H)

¹⁷ Elijah was a human being, even as we are.^(I) He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years.^{(J) 18} Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.^(K)

¹⁹ My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth^(L) and someone should bring that person back,^{(M) 20} remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save^(N) them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.^(O)

Whoever Is Not Against Us Is for Us^(A)

³⁸ “Teacher,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.”^(B)

³⁹ “Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, ⁴⁰ for whoever is not against us is for us.^{(C) 41} Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward.^(D)

Causing to Stumble

⁴² “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble,^(E) it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea.^{(F) 43} If your hand causes you to stumble,^(G) cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell,^(H) where the fire never goes out.^{(I) [44] [a] 45} And if your foot causes you to stumble,^(J) cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell.^{(K) [46] [b] 47} And if your eye causes you to stumble,^(L) pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell,^{(M) 48} where

⁴⁹ Everyone will be salted^(O) with fire.

⁵⁰ “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again?^(P) Have salt among yourselves,^(Q) and be at peace with each other.”^(R)