9. So Moses took the wooden staff from the tent. He did just as the Lord had commanded him.
10. He and Aaron gathered the people together in front of the rock. Moses said to them, "Listen, you who refuse to obey! Do we have to bring water out of this rock for you?"
11. Then Moses raised his arm. He hit the rock twice with his staff. Water poured out. And the people and their livestock drank it.
12. But the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron. He said, "You did not trust in me enough to honor me. You did not honor me as the holy God in front of the people of Israel. So you will not bring this community into the land I am giving them."
13. Those were the waters of Meribah. That's where the people of Israel argued with the Lord. And that's where he showed them he is holy.
14. Moses sent messengers from Kadesh to the king of Edom. The messengers said, "The nation of Israel is your brother. They say, 'You know about all of the hard times we've had.
15. Long ago our people went down into Egypt. We lived there for many years. The Egyptians treated us and our people badly.