16. ‘The Lord was not able to bring them into the land he promised them. So he killed them in the desert.’
17. “So show your strength now, Lord. Do what you said:
18. ‘The Lord doesn’t become angry quickly, but he has great love. He forgives sin and law breaking. But the Lord never forgets to punish guilty people. When parents sin, he will also punish their children, their grandchildren, their great-grandchildren, and their great-great-grandchildren.’
19. By your great love, forgive these people’s sin, just as you have forgiven them from the time they left Egypt until now.”
20. The Lord answered, “I have forgiven them as you asked.
21. But, as surely as I live and as surely as my glory fills the whole earth, I make this promise:
22. All these people saw my glory and the miracles I did in Egypt and in the desert, but they disobeyed me and tested me ten times.
23. So not one of them will see the land I promised to their ancestors. No one who rejected me will see that land.
24. But my servant Caleb thinks differently and follows me completely. So I will bring him into the land he has already seen, and his children will own that land.
25. Since the Amalekites and the Canaanites are living in the valleys, leave tomorrow and follow the desert road toward the Red Sea.”
26. The Lord said to Moses and Aaron,
27. “How long will these evil people complain about me? I have heard the grumbling and complaining of these Israelites.
28. So tell them, ‘This is what the Lord says. I heard what you said, and as surely as I live, I will do those very things to you:
29. You will die in this desert. Every one of you who is twenty years old or older and who was counted with the people—all of you who complained against me—will die.
30. Not one of you will enter the land where I promised you would live; only Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun will go in.
31. You said that your children would be taken away, but I will bring them into the land to enjoy what you refused.