³⁹ Moses told these things to all the Israelites. The people mourned bitterly, as if someone had died. ⁴⁰ Early the next morning they headed into the mountains. They said: We have sinned. Now we will go to the place Jehovah promised.

⁴¹ Moses asked: Why are you disobeying Jehovah's command? Your plan will not work! ⁴² Do not go! Your enemies will defeat you because Jehovah is not with you. ⁴³ The Amalekites and Canaanites are there. You will die in battle. Now that you have turned away from Jehovah, he will not be with you.

⁴⁴ But they headed into the mountains anyway. The Ark of the Jehovah's promise and Moses stayed in the camp. ⁴⁵ The Amalekites and Canaanites who lived there came down from those mountains, attacked the Israelites, and defeated them at Hormah.