40. Turn around, go back into the desert, and follow the road that goes to the Red Sea.”
41. You responded, “We have sinned against the Lord. We’ll go and fight, as the Lord our God commanded us to do.” Each of you armed yourself for war, thinking you could easily invade the mountain region.
42. But the Lord said to me, “Tell them, ‘Don’t go and fight, because I won’t be with you. You will be defeated by your enemies.’ ”
43. I told you, but you wouldn’t listen. You defied the Lord’s command and invaded the mountain region.
44. The Amorites who lived there came out and attacked you and chased you like a swarm of bees. They defeated you, chasing you from Seir all the way to Hormah.