35. I swear that I will do this to you wicked people who have gathered together against me. Here in the wilderness every one of you will die. I, the Lord, have spoken.’ ”
36-37. The men Moses had sent to explore the land brought back a false report which caused the people to complain against the Lord. And so the Lord struck them with a disease, and they died.
38. Of the twelve spies only Joshua and Caleb survived.
39. When Moses told the Israelites what the Lord had said, they mourned bitterly.
40. Early the next morning they started out to invade the hill country, saying, “Now we are ready to go to the place which the Lord told us about. We admit that we have sinned.”
41. But Moses said, “Then why are you disobeying the Lord now? You will not succeed!