and see what the land is like, and whether the people who live in it are strong or weak, few or many,

But the inhabitants are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large. Moreover we saw the descendants of Anak there.

Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses, saying, “Let us go up and occupy it, for we are well able to conquer it.”

But the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against these people, because they are stronger than we are!”

Moses said to the Lord, “When the Egyptians hear it – for you brought up this people by your power from among them –

If you kill this entire people at once, then the nations that have heard of your fame will say,

‘Because the Lord was not able to bring this people into the land that he swore to them, he killed them in the wilderness.’

“‘But the person who acts defiantly, whether native-born or a resident foreigner, insults the Lord. That person must be cut off from among his people.

But on the next day the whole community of Israelites murmured against Moses and Aaron, saying, “You have killed the Lord’s people!”

Then the entire community of Israel entered the wilderness of Zin in the first month, and the people stayed in Kadesh. Miriam died and was buried there.

So Israel made a vow to the Lord and said, “If you will indeed deliver this people into our hand, then we will utterly destroy their cities.”

Then they traveled from Mount Hor by the road to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom, but the people became impatient along the way.

And the people spoke against God and against Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness, for there is no bread or water, and we detest this worthless food.”

And from there they traveled to Beer; that is the well where the Lord spoke to Moses, “Gather the people and I will give them water.”

Woe to you, Moab. You are ruined, O people of Chemosh! He has made his sons fugitives, and his daughters the prisoners of King Sihon of the Amorites.

Then they turned and went up by the road to Bashan. And King Og of Bashan and all his forces marched out against them to do battle at Edrei.

So they defeated Og, his sons, and all his people, until there were no survivors, and they possessed his land.

And the Moabites were greatly afraid of the people, because they were so numerous. The Moabites were sick with fear because of the Israelites.

“Look, a nation has come out of Egypt, and it covers the face of the earth. Come now and put a curse on them for me; perhaps I will be able to defeat them and drive them out.”

But God said to Balaam, “You must not go with them; you must not curse the people, for they are blessed.”