Numbers 14:11-23
New Catholic Bible
13 But Moses said to the Lord, “The Egyptians will hear about it, for by your power you brought this people out from their midst. 14 They will report it to the people of this land. They have heard that you, O Lord, are in the midst of this people, for you, O Lord, are seen face to face. Your cloud stands over them, and you go before them as a cloud by day and as a pillar of fire by night. 15 Now if you kill this people as if it were a single man, then the nations that have heard of your fame will say, 16 ‘The Lord was not able to bring this people into the land that he promised them, so he killed them in the wilderness.’ 17 Therefore, my Lord, show your great power, for as you have declared, 18 ‘The Lord is slow to anger and abounding in mercy, forgiving sin and rebellion. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of the father upon the sons to the third and fourth generation.’ 19 By your great mercy, I beseech you, forgive this people, just as you have forgiven this people ever since they left Egypt until now.”
20 The Lord answered, “I have forgiven them, just as you have asked. 21 But assuredly, just as I live and the glory of the Lord fills the whole earth, 22 because this entire people has witnessed my glory and the miracles that I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness, and yet they have put me to the test these ten times and have not heeded my voice, 23 none of them will see the land that I promised to their fathers. None of those who despised me will see it.
Footnotes
- Numbers 14:12 The Lord’s wrath is short lived. No sooner does he threaten to destroy the rebellious lot, then he promises for a second time since the Exodus to raise up a faithful people.
