₄There were some foreigners travelling with the Israelites. They had a strong craving for meat, and even the Israelites themselves began to complain: “If only we could have some meat! ₅In Egypt we used to eat all the fish we wanted, and it cost us nothing. Remember the cucumbers, the watermelons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic we had? ₆But now our strength is gone. There is nothing at all to eat — nothing but this manna day after day!”

₁₀Moses heard all the people complaining as they stood about in groups at the entrances of their tents. He was distressed because the LORD was angry with them, ₁₁and he said to the LORD, “Why have you treated me so badly? Why are you displeased with me? Why have you given me the responsibility for all these people? ₁₂I didn't create them or bring them to birth! Why should you ask me to act like a nurse and carry them in my arms like babies all the way to the land you promised to their ancestors? ₁₃Where could I get enough meat for all these people? They keep whining and asking for meat. ₁₄I can't be responsible for all these people by myself; it's too much for me! ₁₅If you are going to treat me like this, take pity on me and kill me, so that I won't have to endure your cruelty any longer.”

₁₆The LORD said to Moses, “Assemble seventy respected men who are recognized as leaders of the people, bring them to me at the Tent of my presence, and tell them to stand there beside you.

₂₄So Moses went out and told the people what the LORD had said. He assembled seventy of the leaders and placed them round the Tent. ₂₅Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke to him. He took some of the spirit he had given to Moses and gave it to the seventy leaders. When the spirit came on them, they began to shout like prophets, but not for long.

₂₆Two of the seventy leaders, Eldad and Medad, had stayed in the camp and had not gone out to the Tent. There in the camp the spirit came on them, and they too began to shout like prophets. ₂₇A young man ran out to tell Moses what Eldad and Medad were doing.

₂₈Then Joshua son of Nun, who had been Moses' helper since he was a young man, spoke up and said to Moses, “Stop them, sir!”

₂₉Moses answered, “Are you concerned about my interests? I wish that the LORD would give his Spirit to all his people and make all of them shout like prophets!”