Numbers 22:2–11

²Now Balak ^yson of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites. ^z3Moab was terrified of the people because they were numerous, ^aand Moab dreaded the Israelites. ⁴So the Moabites said to the elders of Midian, “This horde will devour everything around us like an ox eats up the green plants in the field.”

Since Balak son of Zippor was Moab’s king at that time, ⁵he sent messengers to Balaam ^bson of Beor at Pethor, which is by the Euphrates in the land of his people. ^cdBalak said to him: “Look, a people has come out of Egypt; they cover the surface of the land ^eand are living right across from me. ⁶Please 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.” ^f

⁷The elders of Moab and Midian departed with fees for divination ^gin hand. ^hThey came to Balaam and reported Balak’s words to him. ⁸He 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.

⁹Then God came to Balaam and asked, “Who are these men with you?”

¹⁰Balaam replied to God, “Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab, sent this message to me: ¹¹‘Look, a people has come out of Egypt, and they cover the surface of the land. Now come and put a curse on them for me. I may be able to fight against them and drive them away.’ ”