36 The men whom Moses sent out to explore the land had returned and caused the entire community to complain against him by starting a rumor about the land.
37 These men died by a plague in the Lord’s presence on account of their false rumor.
38 But Joshua, Nun’s son, and Caleb, Jephunneh’s son, survived from those men who went to explore the land.
39 Moses spoke these words to all the Israelites, and the people mourned bitterly.
40 They rose early in the morning and went up to the top of the mountain range, saying, "Let’s go up to the place the Lord told us to, for we have sinned."
41 But Moses said, "Why do you disobey the Lord’s command? It won’t succeed.
42 Don’t go up, for the Lord isn’t with you. Don’t be struck down before your enemies.