10 Moses heard the people, family after family, weeping at the entrance of their tents. The Lord was very angry;(A) Moses was also provoked.[a] 11 So Moses asked the Lord, “Why have you brought such trouble on your servant? Why are you angry with me,[b] and why do you burden me with all these people?(B) 12 Did I conceive all these people? Did I give them birth so you should tell me, ‘Carry them at your breast, as a nursing mother carries a baby,’(C) to the land that you swore to give their ancestors?(D) 13 Where can I get meat to give all these people? For they are weeping to me, ‘Give us meat to eat!’ 14 I can’t carry all these people by myself. They are too much for me. 15 If you are going to treat me like this, please kill me right now(E) if I have found favor with you, and(F) don’t let me see my misery[c] anymore.”

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Footnotes

  1. 11:10 Lit and it was evil in the eyes of Moses
  2. 11:11 Lit Why have I not found favor in your eyes
  3. 11:15 Alt Hb tradition reads your misery

Moses’ complaint about leadership

10 Moses heard the people crying throughout their clans, each at his tent’s entrance. The Lord was outraged, and Moses was upset. 11 Moses said to the Lord, “Why have you treated your servant so badly? And why haven’t I found favor in your eyes, for you have placed the burden of all these people on me? 12 Did I conceive all these people? Did I give birth to them, that you would say to me, ‘Carry them at the breast, as a nurse carries an unweaned child,’ to the fertile land that you promised their ancestors? 13 Where am I to get meat for all these people? They are crying before me and saying, ‘Give us meat, so we can eat.’ 14 I can’t bear this people on my own. They’re too heavy for me. 15 If you’re going to treat me like this, please kill me. If I’ve found favor in your eyes, then don’t let me endure this wretched situation.”

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