Numbers 22:1–14

Balak and Balaam

22The Israelites^a set out, and they encamped on the desert-plateau of Moab, across from Jericho beyond the Jordan. ²Balak son of Zippor saw all that Israel did to the Amorites,^{b 3}and Moab was very terrified in the presence of the people because they^c were numerous; and Moab dreaded the presence of the Israelites.^{d 4}And Moab said to the elders of Midian, “Now the crowd will lick up all around us, like a bull devours the grass of the field.” And Balak son of Zippor was king of Moab at that time. ⁵He sent messengers to Balaam son of Beor at Pethor, which is by the river,^e in the land of the children of his people, to summon him, saying, “Look! A people went out from Egypt. Look! They cover the surface of the land;^f they are about to dwell opposite me. ⁶Now, please go, curse this people for me because they^g are stronger than me; perhaps I will be able to strike them^h and drive themⁱ out from the land because I know whoever you bless is blessed, and whoever you cursed is cursed.”

⁷So the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian went with a fee for divination in their hand; they came to Balaam and spoke the words of Balak to him. ⁸He said to them, “Spend the night here, and I will return, and I will return word to you, just as Yahweh speaks to me.” So the princes of Moab stayed with Balaam. ⁹And God came to Balaam and said, “Who are these men with you?” ¹⁰And Balaam said to God, “Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab, sent word to me, ¹¹‘Look! A people went out from Egypt. Look! They cover the surface of the land.^j Now, go, curse them^k for me. Perhaps I will be able to attack them^l and drive them^m out.” ¹²God said to Balaam, “You will not go with them; you will not curse the people, because theyⁿ are blessed.” ¹³Balaam got up in the morning, and he said to the princes of Balak, “Go to your land, because Yahweh refused to allow me to go with you.” ¹⁴The princes of Moab got up and went to Balak, and they said, “Balaam refused to come with us.”