10. The crowd threatened to stone Moses and Aaron to death. But just then, the Lord appeared in a cloud at the sacred tent.
11. The Lord said to Moses, “I have done great things for these people, and they still reject me by refusing to believe in my power.
12. So they will no longer be my people. I will destroy them, but I will make you the ancestor of a nation even stronger than theirs.”
13-16. Moses replied:With your mighty power you rescued your people from Egypt, so please don't destroy us here in the desert. If you do, the Egyptians will hear about it and tell the people of Canaan. Those Canaanites already know that we are your people, and that we see you face to face. And they have heard how you lead us with a thick cloud during the day and flaming fire at night. But if you kill us, they will claim it was because you weren't powerful enough to lead us into Canaan as you promised.
17. Show us your great power, Lord. You promised
18. that you love to show mercy and kindness. And you said that you are very patient, but that you will punish everyone guilty of doing wrong—not only them but their children and grandchildren as well.
19. You are merciful, and you treat people better than they deserve. So please forgive these people, just as you have forgiven them ever since they left Egypt.
20. Then the Lord said to Moses:In answer to your prayer, I do forgive them.
21. But as surely as I live and my power has no limit,
22-23. I swear that not one of these Israelites will enter the land I promised to give their ancestors. These people have seen my power in Egypt and in the desert, but they will never see Canaan. They have disobeyed and tested me too many times.
24. But my servant Caleb isn't like the others. So because he has faith in me, I will allow him to cross into Canaan, and his descendants will settle there.
25. Now listen, Moses! The Amalekites and the Canaanites live in the valleys of Canaan. And tomorrow morning, you'll need to turn round and head back into the desert towards the Red Sea.
26. The Lord told Moses and Aaron
27-28. to give this message to the people of Israel:You sinful people have complained against me too many times! Now I swear by my own life that I will give you exactly what you wanted.
29. You will die here in the desert, and your dead bodies will cover the ground. You have insulted me, and none of you men who are over twenty years old
30. will enter the land that I solemnly promised to give you as your own—only Caleb and Joshua will go in.
31. You were worried that your own children would be captured. But I, the Lord, will let them enter the land you have rejected.