The Israelites Receive Manna to Eat

^20 (A)But this disaster did not strike your people. Instead, you gave them the food of angels. From heaven you sent down bread that was ready to eat, and they did not have to prepare it. The food you gave delighted everyone, no matter what his taste. ²¹ All this showed how lovingly you care for your children. That food satisfied the desire of everyone who ate it; it was changed to suit each person's taste. ²² It was food that under normal circumstances would vanish away like snow or ice, but now it did not melt even in the fire. This was meant to teach your people that the same fire that was destroying their enemies' crops during the heavy downpour of rain and hail ²³ held back its power, so that your own righteous people might have food.

²⁴ You created the universe; it is at your command. All creation uses its power to punish unrighteous people, but it becomes mild and kind to those who put their trust in you. ²⁵ Creation assumed all kinds of forms to show how you provide generously for all who pray to you.^{[a] 26} This happened so that the people whom you loved, O Lord, might learn that they are not fed by what they can grow. It is your word that maintains those who put their trust in you. ²⁷ The food that was not destroyed by the fire melted when the first ray of sunlight warmed it. ²⁸ This was to teach us that we must get up before daybreak to give you thanks, and pray as the sun comes up. ²⁹ But an ungrateful person's hope will melt away like frost, and drain away like water that is not being used.

^31 (A)Our ancestors ate manna in the desert, just as the scripture says, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’”