19. Then they spoke against God,saying, “Can God prepare food in the desert?
20. When he hit the rock, water poured outand rivers flowed down.But can he give us bread also?Will he provide his people with meat?”
21. When the Lord heard them, he was very angry.His anger was like fire to the people of Jacob;his anger grew against the people of Israel.
22. They had not believed Godand had not trusted him to save them.
23. But he gave a command to the clouds aboveand opened the doors of heaven.
24. He rained manna down on them to eat;he gave them grain from heaven.
25. So they ate the bread of angels.He sent them all the food they could eat.
26. He sent the east wind from heavenand led the south wind by his power.
27. He rained meat on them like dust.The birds were as many as the sand of the sea.
28. He made the birds fall inside the camp,all around the tents.
29. So the people ate and became very full.God had given them what they wanted.
30. While they were still eating,and while the food was still in their mouths,
31. God became angry with them.He killed some of the healthiest of them;he struck down the best young men of Israel.
32. But they kept on sinning;they did not believe even with the miracles.
33. So he ended their days without meaningand their years in terror.
34. Anytime he killed them, they would look to him for help;they would come back to God and follow him.
35. They would remember that God was their Rock,that God Most High had saved them.
36. But their words were false,and their tongues lied to him.
37. Their hearts were not really loyal to God;they did not keep his agreement.
38. Still God was merciful.He forgave their sinsand did not destroy them.Many times he held back his angerand did not stir up all his anger.