17 Please let us pass through your country. We will not touch any fields of grain or vineyards. We will not drink water from the wells. We will travel only along the king’s road. We will not turn right or left until we have passed through your country.”
18 But the king of Edom answered: “You may not pass through here. If you try, I will come and meet you with swords.”
19 The Israelites answered: “We will go along the main road. If our animals drink any of your water, we will pay for it. We only want to walk through. That’s all.”
20 But he answered: “You may not pass through here.”Then the Edomites went out to meet the Israelites with a large and powerful army.
21 The Edomites refused to let them pass through their country. So the Israelites turned back.
22 All the Israelites moved from Kadesh to Mount Hor.
23 It was near the border of Edom. The Lord said to Moses and Aaron,