14. Moses sent messengers from Kadesh to the king of Edom, “This is what your brother Israel says, ‘You know all the hardships that have overtaken us.
15. Our fathers went down to Egypt, and we lived in Egypt many years, but the Egyptians treated us and our fathers badly.
16. When we cried out to the Lord, He heard our voice, sent an angel, and brought us out of Egypt. Now look, we are in Kadesh, a city on the border of your territory.
17. Please let us travel through your land. We won’t travel through any field or vineyard, or drink any well water. We will travel the King’s Highway; we won’t turn to the right or the left until we have traveled through your territory.’ ”
18. But Edom answered him, “You must not travel through our land, or we will come out and confront you with the sword.”
19. “We will go on the main road,” the Israelites replied to them, “and if we or our herds drink your water, we will pay its price. There will be no problem; only let us travel through on foot.”
20. Yet Edom insisted, “You must not travel through.” And they came out to confront them with a large force of heavily-armed people.
21. Edom refused to allow Israel to travel through their territory, and Israel turned away from them.
22. After they set out from Kadesh, the entire Israelite community came to Mount Hor.
23. The Lord said to Moses and Aaron at Mount Hor on the border of the land of Edom,
24. “Aaron will be gathered to his people; he will not enter the land I have given the Israelites, because you both rebelled against My command at the waters of Meribah.
25. Take Aaron and his son Eleazar and bring them up Mount Hor.
26. Remove Aaron’s garments and put them on his son Eleazar. Aaron will be gathered to his people and die there.”
27. So Moses did as the Lord commanded, and they climbed Mount Hor in the sight of the whole community.