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 ancestorsj went down to Egypt, and we lived in Egypt ⌊a long time⌋,k and the Egyptians mistreated us and our ancestors.l 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 usm lest ⌊we will go out⌋n to meet you with the sword.” 19 The ⌊Israelites⌋o said to him, “We will go up on the main road, and if wep and our livestockq drink your water, we will pay for it.r It is only a small matter; let us pass through on our feet.”s 20 But he said, “You will not go through.” And Edom went out to meet ⌊them⌋t 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.