11 He asked the Lord, "Why have you made things so tough for me, your servant? Why are you so unhappy with me that you have placed on me the heavy responsibility for all these people? 12 Are they my children? Did I give birth to them, so you could tell me, ‘Hold them close to your chest like a nurse carrying a baby’ and take them to the land you promised to give to their forefathers? 13 Where am I supposed to get meat for all of them? They keep on complaining to me, ‘Get us some meat to eat!’ 14 I can’t go on carrying all these people by myself—it’s just too much. 15 If this is the way you’re going to treat me, then please just kill me now so I don’t have to face how depressed I’ve become. Please grant me this one request."
16 The Lord told Moses, "Bring before me seventy Israelite elders who you know are respected as leaders by the people. Take them to the Tent of Meeting. They will stand there with you. 17 I will come down and talk with you there. I will take some of the Spirit you have and give it to them. They will take some of the responsibility for the people so you won’t have to bear it alone.