The Children of Israel and the holy land

Remember when Moses said to his people: "O my people, remember the favours that God bestowed on you when He appointed apostles from among you, and made you kings and gave you what had never been given to any one in the world.

Enter then, my people, the Holy Land that God has ordained for you, and do not turn back, or you will suffer."

They said: "O Moses, in that land live a people who are formidable; we shall never go there until they leave. We shall enter when they go away."

Then two of the men who feared (God), and to whom God was gracious, said to them: "Charge and rush the gate. If you enter, you will surely be victorious. And place your trust in God if you truly believe."

They said: "O Moses, we shall never, never enter so long as they are there. Go you and your Lord to fight them; we stay here."

Said (Moses): "O Lord, I have control over none but myself and my brother; so distinguish between us and these, the wicked people."

(And God) said: "Then verily this land is forbidden them for forty years, and they shall wander perplexed over the earth. So do not grieve for these, the wicked people."