⁵ For when we came into Macedonia,^(A) we had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn^(B)—conflicts on the outside, fears within.^{(C) 6} But God, who comforts the downcast,^(D) comforted us by the coming of Titus,^{(E) 7} and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever.

⁶ Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. ⁷ For we live by faith, not by sight.^{(A) 8} We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.^(B)

¹⁶ Therefore we do not lose heart.^(A) Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly^(B) we are being renewed^(C) day by day. ¹⁷ For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.^{(D) 18} So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen,^(E) since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

²⁵ At the end of forty days^(A) they returned from exploring the land.^(B)

Report on the Exploration

²⁶ They came back to Moses and Aaron and the whole Israelite community at Kadesh^(C) in the Desert of Paran.^(D) There they reported to them^(E) and to the whole assembly and showed them the fruit of the land.^{(F) 27} They gave Moses this account: “We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey!^(G) Here is its fruit.^{(H) 28} But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large.^(I) We even saw descendants of Anak^(J) there.^{(K) 29} The Amalekites^(L) live in the Negev; the Hittites,^(M) Jebusites^(N) and Amorites^(O) live in the hill country;^(P) and the Canaanites^(Q) live near the sea and along the Jordan.^(R)”

³⁰ Then Caleb^(S) silenced the people before Moses and said, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.”

³¹ But the men who had gone up with him said, “We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are.”^{(T) 32} And they spread among the Israelites a bad report^(U) about the land they had explored. They said, “The land we explored devours^(V) those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size.^{(W) 33} We saw the Nephilim^(X) there (the descendants of Anak^(Y) come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers^(Z) in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.”

The People Rebel

14 That night all the members of the community raised their voices and wept aloud.^{(AA) 2} All the Israelites grumbled^(AB) against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, “If only we had died in Egypt!^(AC) Or in this wilderness!^{(AD) 3} Why is the Lord bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword?^(AE) Our wives and children^(AF) will be taken as plunder.^(AG) Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?^(AH)” ⁴ And they said to each other, “We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt.^(AI)”

⁵ Then Moses and Aaron fell facedown^(AJ) in front of the whole Israelite assembly^(AK) gathered there. ⁶ Joshua son of Nun^(AL) and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes^{(AM) 7} and said to the entire Israelite assembly, “The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good.^{(AN) 8} If the Lord is pleased with us,^(AO) he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey,^(AP) and will give it to us.^{(AQ) 9} Only do not rebel^(AR) against the Lord. And do not be afraid^(AS) of the people of the land,^(AT) because we will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with^(AU) us.^(AV) Do not be afraid of them.”^(AW)

¹⁰ But the whole assembly talked about stoning^(AX) them. Then the glory of the Lord^(AY) appeared at the tent of meeting to all the Israelites. ¹¹ The Lord said to Moses, “How long will these people treat me with contempt?^(AZ) How long will they refuse to believe in me,^(BA) in spite of all the signs^(BB) I have performed among them?

⁸ Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter,^(A) I do not regret it. Though I did regret it—I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while— ⁹ yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. ¹⁰ Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation^(B) and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. ¹¹ See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern,^(C) what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter.