The Bronze Serpent

⁴ From Mount Hor ^(A)they set out by the way to the Red Sea, ^(B)to go around the land of Edom. And the people became impatient on the way.

¹⁸ “Then they journeyed through the wilderness and ^(A)went around the land of Edom and the land of Moab and ^(B)arrived on the east side of the land of Moab and ^(C)camped on the other side of the Arnon. But they did not enter the territory of Moab, for the Arnon was the boundary of Moab.

⁹ Moses spoke thus to the people of Israel, but they ^(A)did not listen to Moses, because of their broken spirit and harsh slavery.

⁷ Why will you discourage the heart of the people of Israel from going over into the land that the Lord has given them?

³ that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that ^(A)we are destined for this. ⁴ For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, ^(B)just as it has come to pass, and just as you know.

^22 (A)strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them ^(B)to continue in ^(C)the faith, and saying that ^(D)through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.

⁴¹ And they set out from Mount Hor and camped at Zalmonah.

⁹ For when they went up to the Valley of Eshcol and saw the land, they discouraged the heart of the people of Israel from going into the land that the Lord had given them.

⁵ Do not contend with them, for I will not give you any of their land, no, not so much as for the sole of the foot to tread on, because ^(A)I have given Mount Seir to Esau as a possession. ^6 (B)You shall purchase food from them with money, that you may eat, and you shall also buy water from them with money, that you may drink. ⁷ For the Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. ^(C)He knows your going through this great wilderness. ^(D)These forty years the Lord your God has been with you. You have lacked nothing.”’ ⁸ So ^(E)we went on, away from our brothers, the people of Esau, who live in Seir, away from ^(F)the Arabah road from ^(G)Elath and ^(H)Ezion-geber.

“And we turned and went in the direction of the wilderness of Moab.

⁴⁰ But as for you, ^(A)turn, and journey into the wilderness in the direction of the Red Sea.’