14 From Kadesh Moses then sent messengers to athe king of Edom: “Thus your brother Israel has said, ‘You bknow all the hardship that has befallen us;

15 that our fathers went down to Egypt, and we stayed in Egypt a long time, and the Egyptians treated us and our fathers badly.

16 ‘But awhen we cried out to the Lord, He heard our voice and sent ban angel and brought us out from Egypt; now behold, we are at Kadesh, a town on the edge of your territory.

17 ‘Please alet us pass through your land. We will not pass through field or through vineyard; we will not even drink water from a well. We will go along the king’s highway, not turning to the right or left, until we pass through your territory.’ ”

18 aEdom, however, said to him, “You shall not pass through 1us, or I will come out with the sword against you.”

19 Again, the sons of Israel said to him, “We will go up by the highway, and if I and amy livestock do drink any of your water, bthen I will 1pay its price. Let me only pass through on my feet, 2nothing else.”

20 But he said, “aYou shall not pass through.” And Edom came out against him with a heavy 1force and with a strong hand.

21 aThus Edom refused to allow Israel to pass through his territory; bso Israel turned away from him.