First ReadingExodus 16:1-5, 9-15
From the Book of Exodus
1They took their journey from Elim,and all the congregation of the children of Israel came to the wilderness of Sin,which is between Elim and Sinai,on the fifteenth day of the second month after their departing out of the land of Egypt.2The whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Mosesand against Aaron in the wilderness;3and the children of Israel said to them,“We wish that we had died by the Lord’s hand in the land of Egypt,when we sat by the meat pots,when we ate our fill of bread,for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.”
4Then the Lord said to Moses,“Behold, I will rain bread from the sky for you,and the people shall go outand gather a day’s portion every day,that I may test them,whether they will walk in my law or not.5It shall come to pass on the sixth day,that they shall prepare that which they bring in,and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily.” verses 6–8 are not read9Moses said to Aaron,“Tell all the congregation of the children of Israel,‘Come close to the Lord,for he has heard your murmurings.’”10As Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the children of Israel,they looked toward the wilderness,and behold, the Lord’s glory appeared in the cloud.11The Lord spoke to Moses, saying,12“I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel.Speak to them, saying,‘At evening you shall eat meat,and in the morning you shall be filled with bread.Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.’”
13In the evening, quail came up and covered the camp;and in the morning the dew lay around the camp.14When the dew that lay had gone,behold, on the surface of the wilderness was a small round thing,small as the frost on the ground.15When the children of Israel saw it,they said to one another, “What is it?”For they didn’t know what it was.Moses said to them,“It is the bread which the Lord has given you to eat.