Deuteronomy 1:40-42

New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised Catholic Edition

⁴⁰ But as for you, journey back into the wilderness, in the direction of the Red Sea.’^[a]

⁴¹ You answered me, ‘We have sinned against the Lord! We are ready to go up and fight, just as the Lord our God commanded us.’ So all of you strapped on your battle gear, and thought it easy to go up into the hill country. ⁴² The Lord said to me, ‘Say to them, “Do not go up and do not fight, for I am not in the midst of you; otherwise you will be defeated by your enemies.”’