⁴⁰ Early the next morning they set out for the highest point in the hill country,^(A) saying, “Now we are ready to go up to the land the Lord promised. Surely we have sinned!^(B)”

⁴¹ But Moses said, “Why are you disobeying the Lord’s command? This will not succeed!^{(C) 42} Do not go up, because the Lord is not with you. You will be defeated by your enemies,^{(D) 43} for the Amalekites^(E) and the Canaanites^(F) will face you there. Because you have turned away from the Lord, he will not be with you^(G) and you will fall by the sword.”

⁴⁴ Nevertheless, in their presumption they went up^(H) toward the highest point in the hill country, though neither Moses nor the ark of the Lord’s covenant moved from the camp.^(I)

⁴³ So I told you, but you would not listen. You rebelled against the Lord’s command and in your arrogance you marched up into the hill country.

¹² Anyone who shows contempt^(A) for the judge or for the priest who stands ministering^(B) there to the Lord your God is to be put to death.^(C) You must purge the evil from Israel.^{(D) 13} All the people will hear and be afraid, and will not be contemptuous again.^(E)