2. And all the sons of Israel were murmuring against Moses and Aaron, saying:
3. "If only we had died in Egypt," and, "If only we would perish in this vast wilderness," and, "May the Lord not lead us into this land, lest we fall by the sword, and our wives, as well as our children, be led away as captives. Is it not better to return to Egypt?"
4. And they said to one another, "Let us appoint our leader, and so return to Egypt."
5. And when Moses and Aaron heard this, they fell prone on the ground in the sight of the multitude of the sons of Israel.
6. Yet truly, Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who themselves had also viewed the land, tore their garments,
7. and they said to the entire multitude of the sons of Israel: "The land that we circled through is very good.
8. If the Lord will be gracious to us, he will lead us into it, and he will give us the land flowing with milk and honey.
9. Do not choose to be rebellious against the Lord. And do not fear the people of this land, for, like bread, so are we able to devour them. All protection has withdrawn from them. The Lord is with us. Do not be afraid."
10. And when the entire multitude cried out, and they wanted to crush them with stones, the glory of the Lord appeared, over the roof of the covenant, to all the sons of Israel.
11. And the Lord said to Moses: "How long will this people disparage me? How long will they refuse to believe me, despite all the signs that I have wrought before them?
12. Therefore, I will strike them with a pestilence, and so I will consume them. But you I will make the ruler over a great nation, and one which is mightier than this one."
13. And Moses said to the Lord: "But then the Egyptians, from whose midst you led out this people,