The peoplethus contendedwith Mosesand spoke,saying,"Ifonlywe had perishedwhen our brothersperishedbeforethe LORD!
Becausethey were rebelliousagainstHis Spirit,He spokerashlywith his lips.
Then they spokeagainst God;They said,"CanGodpreparea tablein the wilderness?
Therefore the peoplequarreledwith Mosesand said,"Giveus waterthat we may drink."And Mosessaidto them, "Whydo you quarrelwith me? Whydo you testthe LORD?"
Betterare those slainwith the swordThanthose slainwith hunger;For they pineaway,being strickenFor lack of the fruitsof the field.
Now the peoplebecamelike those who complainof adversityin the hearingof the LORD;and when the LORDheard[it], His angerwas kindled,and the fireof the LORDburnedamong them and consumed[some] of the outskirtsof the camp.
"Whyis the LORDbringingus into thisland,to fallby the sword?Our wivesand our littleoneswill becomeplunder;would it not be betterfor us to returnto Egypt?"
But those who diedby the plaguewere 14,700,besidesthose who diedon accountof Korah.
