The whole community of Israel left Kadesh and arrived at Mount Hor,

on the border of Edom. There the LORD said to Moses and Aaron,

Moses did what the LORD had commanded. They went up Mount Hor in the sight of the whole community,

From Mount Hor to the plains of Moab the Israelites set up camp at the following places: Zalmonah, Punon, Oboth, the ruins of Abarim in the territory of Moab, Dibon Gad, Almon Diblathaim, the Abarim Mountains near Mount Nebo, and in the plains of Moab across the Jordan River from Jericho, between Beth Jeshimoth and Acacia Valley.

in whose valleys the Amalekites and the Canaanites now live. Turn back tomorrow and go into the wilderness in the direction of the Gulf of Aqaba."

But as for you people, turn around and go back into the desert on the road to the Gulf of Aqaba.'

But the Edomites answered, "We refuse to let you pass through our country! If you try, we will march out and attack you."

The Edomites repeated, "We refuse!" and they marched out with a powerful army to attack the people of Israel.

but you must not start a war with them, because I am not going to give you so much as a square foot of their land. I have given Edom to Esau's descendants.

"Remember how the LORD your God has blessed you in everything that you have done. He has taken care of you as you wandered through this vast desert. He has been with you these forty years, and you have had everything you needed.

Then they went on through the desert, going around the land of Edom and the land of Moab until they came to the east side of Moab, on the other side of the Arnon River. They camped there, but they did not cross the Arnon because it was the boundary of Moab.

How dare you try to discourage the people of Israel from crossing the Jordan into the land which the LORD has given them?

They went as far as Eshcol Valley and saw the land, but when they returned, they discouraged the people from entering the land which the LORD had given them.

Moses told this to the Israelites, but they would not listen to him, because their spirit had been broken by their cruel slavery.

They strengthened the believers and encouraged them to remain true to the faith. "We must pass through many troubles to enter the Kingdom of God," they taught.

so that none of you should turn back because of these persecutions. You yourselves know that such persecutions are part of God's will for us.

For while we were still with you, we told you ahead of time that we were going to be persecuted; and as you well know, that is exactly what happened.

Moses told this to the Israelites, but they would not listen to him, because their spirit had been broken by their cruel slavery.