First ReadingNumbers 11:4b-15
From the Book of Numbers
4The mixed multitudethat was among them lusted exceedingly;and the children of Israel also wept again,and said, “Who will give us meat to eat?5We remember the fish, which we ate in Egypt for nothing;the cucumbers, and the melons,and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlic;6but now we have lost our appetite.There is nothing at all except this manna to look at.”7The manna was like coriander seed,and it looked like bdellium.8The people went around,gathered it, and ground it in mills,or beat it in mortars,and boiled it in pots,and made cakes of it.Its taste was like the taste of fresh oil.9When the dew fell on the camp in the night,the manna fell on it.
10Moses heard the people weeping throughout their families,every man at the door of his tent;and the Lord’s anger burned greatly;and Moses was displeased.11Moses said to the Lord,“Why have you treated your servant so badly?Why haven’t I found favor in your sight,that you lay the burden of all this people on me?12Have I conceived all this people?Have I brought them out,that you should tell me,‘Carry them in your bosom,as a nurse carries a nursing infant,to the land which you swore to their fathers’?13Where could I get meat to give all these people?For they weep before me,saying, ‘Give us meat, that we may eat.’14I am not able to bear all this people alone,because it is too heavy for me.15If you treat me this way,please kill me right now,if I have found favor in your sight;and don’t let me see my wretchedness.”