Israel Repulsed

39 When Moses spoke athese words to all the sons of Israel, bthe people mourned greatly.

40 In the morning, however, they rose up early and went up to the 1ridge of the hill country, saying, “aHere we are; 2we have indeed sinned, but we will go up to the place which the Lord has promised.”

41 But Moses said, “aWhy then are you transgressing the 1commandment of the Lord, when it will not succeed?

42 “aDo not go up, or you will be struck down before your enemies, for the Lord is not among you.

43 “For the Amalekites and the Canaanites will be there in front of you, and you will fall by the sword, inasmuch as you have turned back from following the Lord. And the Lord will not be with you.”

44 But they went up heedlessly to the 1ridge of the hill country; neither athe ark of the covenant of the Lord nor Moses left the camp.

45 Then the Amalekites and the Canaanites who lived in that hill country came down, and struck them and beat them down as far as aHormah.