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.
16. But we cried out to the Lord. He heard our cry. He sent an angel and brought us out of Egypt. " 'Now here we are at the town of Kadesh. It's on the edge of your territory.
17. Please let us pass through your country. We won't go through any field or vineyard. We won't drink water from any well. We'll travel along the king's highway. We won't turn to the right or the left. We'll just go straight through your territory.' "
18. But the people of Edom answered, "You can't pass through here. If you try to, we'll march out against you. We'll attack you with our swords."
19. The people of Israel replied, "We'll go along the main road. We and our livestock won't drink any of your water. If we do, we'll pay for it. We only want to walk through your country. That's all we ask."
20. Again the people of Edom answered, "You can't pass through here." Then the people of Edom came out against them. They came with a large and powerful army.
21. Edom refused to let Israel go through their territory. So Israel turned away from them.
22. The whole community of Israel started out from Kadesh. They arrived at Mount Hor.
23. It was near the border of Edom. There the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron. He said,
24. "Aaron will join the members of his family who have already died. He will not enter the land I am giving to the people of Israel. Both of you refused to obey my command. You did it at the waters of Meribah.
25. "So get Aaron and his son Eleazar. Take them up Mount Hor.