39. When 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 mountain region. They said, “We have sinned. Now we’ll go to the place the Lord promised.”
41. But Moses asked, “Why are you disobeying the Lord’s command? Your plan won’t work!
42. Don’t go! You will be defeated by your enemies because the Lord is not with you.
43. The Amalekites and Canaanites are there, and you will die in battle. Now that you have turned away from the Lord, the Lord will not be with you.”
44. But they headed into the mountain region anyway, even though the ark of the Lord’s promise and Moses stayed in the camp.