3 Why is the Lord bringing us to this land? We will be killed with swords. Our wives and children will be taken away. We would be better off going back to Egypt.”
4 They said to each other, “Let’s get a leader and go back to Egypt.”
5 Then Moses and Aaron bowed facedown in front of all the Israelites gathered there.
6 Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh were among those who had explored the land. They tore their clothes.
7 They said to all of the Israelites, “The land we went to explore is very good.
8 If the Lord is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land. He will give us that land where much food grows.
9 Don’t turn against the Lord! Don’t be afraid of the people in that land! We will chew them up. They have no protection, but we have the Lord. So don’t be afraid of them.”