9. Only don’t rebel against Adonai, and don’t be afraid of the people of the land. They will be food for us. The protection over them is gone. Adonai is with us! Do not fear them.”
10. But the whole assembly talked about violently stoning them. Then the glory of Adonai appeared at the Tent of Meeting to all Bnei-Yisrael.
11. Adonai said to Moses, “How long will these people treat Me contemptibly? How long will they neglect to trust in Me—in spite of all the miraculous signs I have performed among them?
12. I will strike them with the plague. I will destroy them. But you I will make into a nation greater and stronger than they!”
13. Moses said to Adonai, “The Egyptians will hear about it, because You brought up this people by Your power from among them.
14. They will tell the residents of this land about it. Already they have heard that You, Adonai, are in the midst of this people, that You, Adonai, have been seen eye to eye, that Your cloud remains over them, and that in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night You go before them.
15. If you kill these people all at once, the nations who have heard this report about You will say,
16. ‘Because Adonai was unable to bring this people to the land He had promised them, He has slaughtered them in the wilderness.’
17. “So please, let Adonai show His strength, just as You have spoken saying,
18. ‘Adonai is slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, forgiving iniquity and transgression. Still, He does not leave the guilty unpunished, bringing the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations.’
19. Forgive now the guiltiness of this people in accordance with the greatness of Your lovingkindness, just as You have pardoned this people from Egypt until now!”
20. Adonai answered, “I have forgiven them just as you have spoken.