14. From Kadesh Moses sent messengers to the king of Edom: “Thus your brother Israel has said, ‘You know all the hardship that has found us;
15. our ancestors went down to Egypt, and we lived in Egypt a long time, and the Egyptians mistreated us and our ancestors.
16. Then we cried to Yahweh, and he heard our voice; he sent an angel and brought us out from Egypt. And look, we are in Kadesh, a city on the edge of your territory.
17. Please let us go through your land. We will not go through a field or vineyard, and we will not drink water from a well. We will go along the road of the king; we will not turn aside right or left until we have gone through your territory.’ ”
18. Then Edom said to him, “You will not pass through us lest we will go out to meet you with the sword.”
19. The Israelites said to him, “We will go up on the main road, and if we and our livestock drink your water, we will pay for it. It is only a small matter; let us pass through on our feet.”
20. But he said, “You will not go through.” And Edom went out to meet them with a large army and a strong hand.
21. So Edom refused to give Israel passage through his territory, and Israel turned aside from him.
22. And they set out from Kadesh. The Israelites, the whole community, came to Mount Hor.
23. Yahweh said to Moses and to Aaron on Mount Hor, on the boundary of the land of Edom, saying,
24. “Let Aaron be gathered to his people; he will not come into the land that I have given to the Israelites because you rebelled against my word at the waters of Meribah.
25. Take Aaron and Eleazar his son, and take them up Mount Hor.