10 Moses heard the people, family after family, crying 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, 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 woman carries a baby,’(C) to the land that You[b] swore to give their fathers?(D) 13 Where can I get meat to give all these people? For they are crying 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 You are pleased with me,(F) don’t let me see my misery[c] anymore.”

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Footnotes

  1. Numbers 11:10 Lit and it was evil in the eyes of Moses
  2. Numbers 11:12 One Hb ms, Sam, LXX, Syr, Tg read I
  3. Numbers 11:15 Ancient Jewish tradition reads Your misery

10 Moses heard all the families standing in the doorways of their tents whining, and the Lord became extremely angry. Moses was also very aggravated. 11 And Moses said to the Lord, “Why are you treating me, your servant, so harshly? Have mercy on me! What did I do to deserve the burden of all these people? 12 Did I give birth to them? Did I bring them into the world? Why did you tell me to carry them in my arms like a mother carries a nursing baby? How can I carry them to the land you swore to give their ancestors? 13 Where am I supposed to get meat for all these people? They keep whining to me, saying, ‘Give us meat to eat!’ 14 I can’t carry all these people by myself! The load is far too heavy! 15 If this is how you intend to treat me, just go ahead and kill me. Do me a favor and spare me this misery!”

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