17. Please let us pass through your land. We will not cross any fields or vineyards, nor drink any well water, but we will go straight along the King’s Highway without turning to the right or to the left, until we have passed through your territory.”
18. But Edom answered him, “You shall not pass through here; if you do, I will advance against you with the sword.”
19. The Israelites said to him, “We will go up along the highway. If we or our livestock drink any of your water, we will pay for it. It is nothing—just let us pass through on foot.”
20. But Edom replied, “You shall not pass through,” and advanced against them with a large and heavily armed force.