⁸ Moses also said, “You will know that it was the Lord when he gives you meat to eat in the evening and all the bread you want in the morning, because he has heard your grumbling^(A) against him. Who are we? You are not grumbling against us, but against the Lord.”^(B)

⁹ Then Moses told Aaron, “Say to the entire Israelite community, ‘Come before the Lord, for he has heard your grumbling.’”

¹⁰ While Aaron was speaking to the whole Israelite community, they looked toward the desert, and there was the glory^(C) of the Lord appearing in the cloud.^(D)

¹¹ The Lord said to Moses, ¹² “I have heard the grumbling^(E) of the Israelites. Tell them, ‘At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.’”^(F)

¹³ That evening quail^(G) came and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew^(H) around the camp. ¹⁴ When the dew was gone, thin flakes like frost^(I) on the ground appeared on the desert floor. ¹⁵ When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, “What is it?” For they did not know^(J) what it was.

Moses said to them, “It is the bread^(K) the Lord has given you to eat. ¹⁶ This is what the Lord has commanded: ‘Everyone is to gather as much as they need. Take an omer^[a](L) for each person you have in your tent.’”

¹⁷ The Israelites did as they were told; some gathered much, some little. ¹⁸ And when they measured it by the omer, the one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.^(M) Everyone had gathered just as much as they needed.

¹⁹ Then Moses said to them, “No one is to keep any of it until morning.”^(N)

²⁰ However, some of them paid no attention to Moses; they kept part of it until morning, but it was full of maggots and began to smell.^(O) So Moses was angry^(P) with them.

²¹ Each morning everyone gathered as much as they needed, and when the sun grew hot, it melted away. ²² On the sixth day, they gathered twice^(Q) as much—two omers^[b] for each person—and the leaders of the community^(R) came and reported this to Moses. ²³ He said to them, “This is what the Lord commanded: ‘Tomorrow is to be a day of sabbath rest, a holy sabbath^(S) to the Lord. So bake what you want to bake and boil what you want to boil. Save whatever is left and keep it until morning.’”

²⁴ So they saved it until morning, as Moses commanded, and it did not stink or get maggots in it. ²⁵ “Eat it today,” Moses said, “because today is a sabbath to the Lord. You will not find any of it on the ground today. ²⁶ Six days you are to gather it, but on the seventh day, the Sabbath,^(T) there will not be any.”

²⁷ Nevertheless, some of the people went out on the seventh day to gather it, but they found none. ²⁸ Then the Lord said to Moses, “How long will you^[c] refuse to keep my commands^(U) and my instructions? ²⁹ Bear in mind that the Lord has given you the Sabbath; that is why on the sixth day he gives you bread for two days. Everyone is to stay where they are on the seventh day; no one is to go out.” ³⁰ So the people rested on the seventh day.

³¹ The people of Israel called the bread manna.^[d](V) It was white like coriander seed and tasted like wafers made with honey.

³⁵ The Israelites ate manna^(A) forty years,^(B) until they came to a land that was settled; they ate manna until they reached the border of Canaan.^(C)

⁸ If the Lord is pleased with us,^(A) he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey,^(B) and will give it to us.^(C)

Thanks for Their Gifts

¹⁰ I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me.^(A) Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. ¹¹ I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content^(B) whatever the circumstances. ¹² I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry,^(C) whether living in plenty or in want.^{(D) 13} I can do all this through him who gives me strength.^(E)

¹⁴ Yet it was good of you to share^(F) in my troubles. ¹⁵ Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days^(G) of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia,^(H) not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only;^{(I) 16} for even when I was in Thessalonica,^(J) you sent me aid more than once when I was in need.^{(K) 17} Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account.^{(L) 18} I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus^(M) the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant^(N) offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. ¹⁹ And my God will meet all your needs^(O) according to the riches of his glory^(P) in Christ Jesus.

²⁰ To our God and Father^(Q) be glory for ever and ever. Amen.^(R)