Numbers 20:1-8

1Then the Israelites, the whole congregation, came into the Wilderness of Zin in the first month [in the fortieth year after leaving Egypt]. And the people lived in Kadesh. Miriam died there and was buried there.

2Now there was no water for the congregation, and they gathered together against Moses and Aaron.

3The people contended with Moses, and said, “If only we had perished when our brothers perished [in the plague] before the Lord!

4Why have you brought up the assembly of the Lord into this wilderness to die here, we and our livestock?

5Why have you made us come up from Egypt, to bring us to this wretched place? It is not a place of grain or of figs or of vines or of pomegranates, and there is no water to drink.”

6Then Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly to the doorway of the Tent of Meeting (tabernacle) and fell on their faces [before the Lord in prayer]. Then the glory and brilliance of the Lord appeared to them;

7and the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,

8“Take the rod; and you and your brother Aaron assemble the congregation and speak to the rock in front of them, so that it will pour out its water. In this way you shall bring water for them out of the rock and let the congregation and their livestock drink [fresh water].”