5. We remember the fish we ate for free in Egypt. We also had cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic.
6. But now we have lost our appetite. We never see anything but this manna!”
7. The manna was like small white seeds.
8. The people would go to gather it. Then they ground it in handmills. Or they crushed it between stones. They cooked it in a pot or made cakes with it. It tasted like bread baked with olive oil.
9. When the dew fell on the camp each night, so did the manna.
10. Moses heard every family crying. They stood in the entrances of their tents. The Lord became very angry. And Moses got upset.
11. He asked the Lord, “Why have you brought me this trouble? I’m your servant. What have I done wrong? Why did you make me responsible for all these people?
12. I am not the father of all these people. I didn’t give birth to them. Why do you make me carry them to the land you promised to our ancestors? Must I carry them in my arms as a nurse carries a baby?
13. Where can I get meat for all these people? They keep crying to me, ‘We want meat!’
14. I can’t take care of all these people alone. It is too much for me.
15. If you are going to continue doing this to me, then kill me now. If you like me, put me to death. Then I won’t have any more troubles.”
16. The Lord said to Moses, “Bring me 70 of Israel’s elders. Pick men you know are leaders among the people. Bring them to the Meeting Tent. Have them stand there with you.