³⁹ When Moses reported this^(A) to all the Israelites, they mourned^(B) bitterly. ⁴⁰ Early the next morning they set out for the highest point in the hill country,^(C) saying, “Now we are ready to go up to the land the Lord promised. Surely we have sinned!^(D)”

⁴¹ But Moses said, “Why are you disobeying the Lord’s command? This will not succeed!^{(E) 42} Do not go up, because the Lord is not with you. You will be defeated by your enemies,^{(F) 43} for the Amalekites^(G) and the Canaanites^(H) will face you there. Because you have turned away from the Lord, he will not be with you^(I) and you will fall by the sword.”

⁴⁴ Nevertheless, in their presumption they went up^(J) toward the highest point in the hill country, though neither Moses nor the ark of the Lord’s covenant moved from the camp.^{(K) 45} Then the Amalekites and the Canaanites^(L) who lived in that hill country^(M) came down and attacked them and beat them down all the way to Hormah.^(N)