37. The Lord was angered against me also on your account, and said, You shall not enter there either,
38. but Joshua, son of Nun, your attendant, shall enter. Encourage him, for he is the one who is to give Israel its possession.
39. Your little ones, who you said would become plunder, and your children, who as yet do not know good from evil—they shall enter there; to them I will give it, and they shall take possession of it.
40. But as for yourselves: turn back and proceed into the wilderness on the Red Sea road.
41. In reply you said to me, “We have sinned against the Lord. We will go up ourselves and fight, just as the Lord, our God, commanded us.” And each of you girded on his weapons, making light of going up into the hill country.
42. But the Lord said to me, Warn them: Do not go up and fight—for I will not be in your midst—lest you be beaten down before your enemies.