14Moses sent messengers from Kadesh to the king of Edom: Thus says your brother Israel, You yourself know all the hardship that has found us.15Our fathers went down to Egypt, and we dwelt in Egypt many days; the Egyptians did evil to us and to our fathers.16We cried out to the LORD, and he heard our voice and sent a messenger and brought us out from Egypt; and behold, we are in Kadesh, a city at the end of your border.17Let us pass, please, through your land; we will not pass through field or vineyard, and we will not drink water from a well; we will walk the way of the king; we will not turn aside to the right or to the left until we have passed your border.18Edom said to him, "You shall not pass through me, lest I come out with the sword to meet you."19The sons of Israel said to him, By the highway we will go up; and if we drink your water, I and my livestock, then I will give their price; only let there be no word by my foot; let me pass.20He said, You shall not pass; and Edom came out to meet him with a heavy people and with a strong hand.21Edom refused to give Israel passage through his border, and Israel turned away from him.