5 he sent messengers to Balaamr son of Beor at Pethor, which is by the Euphrates in the land of his people.B,C Balak said to him, “Look, a people has come out of Egypt; they cover the surface of the lands and are living right across from me. 6 Please come and put a curse on these people for me because they are more powerful than I am. I may be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land, for I know that those you bless are blessed and those you curse are cursed.”t

7 The elders of Moab and Midian departed with fees for divinationa in hand.b They came to Balaam and reported Balak’s words to him. 8 He said to them, “Spend the night here, and I will give you the answer the Lord tells me.” So the officials of Moab stayed with Balaam.