Numbers 20:12-24

12But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them.”

13These were the waters of Meribah, where the Israelites quarreled with the Lord and where he was proved holy among them.

14Moses sent messengers from Kadesh to the king of Edom, saying: “This is what your brother Israel says: You know about all the hardships that have come on us.

15Our ancestors went down into Egypt, and we lived there many years. The Egyptians mistreated us and our ancestors,

16but when we cried out to the Lord, he heard our cry and sent an angel and brought us out of Egypt. “Now we are here at Kadesh, a town on the edge of your territory.

17Please let us pass through your country. We will not go through any field or vineyard, or drink water from any well. We will travel along the King’s Highway and not turn to the right or to the left until we have passed through your territory.”

18But Edom answered: “You may not pass through here; if you try, we will march out and attack you with the sword.”

19The Israelites replied: “We will go along the main road, and if we or our livestock drink any of your water, we will pay for it. We only want to pass through on foot—nothing else.”

20Again they answered: “You may not pass through.” Then Edom came out against them with a large and powerful army.

21Since Edom refused to let them go through their territory, Israel turned away from them.

22The whole Israelite community set out from Kadesh and came to Mount Hor.

23At Mount Hor, near the border of Edom, the Lord said to Moses and Aaron,

24“Aaron will be gathered to his people. He will not enter the land I give the Israelites, because both of you rebelled against my command at the waters of Meribah.