English Standard Version ESV
New International Version NIV
2 Now there was no water for the congregation. And they assembled themselves together against Moses and against Aaron.
2
Now there was no water for the community, and the people gathered in opposition to Moses and Aaron.
3 And the people quarreled with Moses and said, "Would that we had perished when our brothers perished before the LORD!
3
They quarreled with Moses and said, “If only we had died when our brothers fell dead before the LORD!
4 Why have you brought the assembly of the LORD into this wilderness, that we should die here, both we and our cattle?
4
Why did you bring the LORD’s community into this wilderness, that we and our livestock should die here?
5 And why have you made us come up out of Egypt to bring us to this evil place? It is no place for grain or figs or vines or pomegranates, and there is no water to drink."
5
Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to this terrible place? It has no grain or figs, grapevines or pomegranates. And there is no water to drink!”
6 Then Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly to the entrance of the tent of meeting and fell on their faces. And the glory of the LORD appeared to them,
6
Moses and Aaron went from the assembly to the entrance to the tent of meeting and fell facedown, and the glory of the LORD appeared to them.
7 and the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
7
The LORD said to Moses,
8 "Take the staff, and assemble the congregation, you and Aaron your brother, and tell the rock before their eyes to yield its water. So you shall bring water out of the rock for them and give drink to the congregation and their cattle."
8
“Take the staff, and you and your brother Aaron gather the assembly together. Speak to that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water. You will bring water out of the rock for the community so they and their livestock can drink.”
9 And Moses took the staff from before the LORD, as he commanded him.
9
So Moses took the staff from the LORD’s presence, just as he commanded him.
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.