Numbers 14:2-9

New American Standard Bible 1995

² All the sons of Israel ^(A)grumbled against Moses and Aaron; and the whole congregation said to them, “^(B)Would that we had died in the land of Egypt! Or would that we had died in this wilderness! ³ Why is the Lord bringing us into this land, ^(C)to fall by the sword? ^(D)Our wives and our little ones will become plunder; would it not be better for us to return to Egypt?” ⁴ So they said to one another, “^(E)Let us appoint a leader and return to Egypt.”

^5 (F)Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces in the presence of all the assembly of the congregation of the sons of Israel. ⁶ Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, of those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes; ⁷ and they spoke to all the congregation of the sons of Israel, saying, “^(G)The land which we passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land. ^8 (H)If the Lord is pleased with us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us—^(I)a land which flows with milk and honey. ⁹ Only ^(J)do not rebel against the Lord; and do not ^(K)fear the people of the land, for they will be our ^[a]prey. Their ^[b]protection has been removed from them, and the Lord is with us; do not fear them.”