Numbers 22:4–20

⁴Moab said to the elders of ^aMidian, “Now this ¹horde will lick up all that is around us, as the ox licks up the grass of the field.” And Balak the son of Zippor was king of Moab at that time.

⁵So he sent messengers to ^aBalaam the son of Beor, at ^bPethor, which is near the ¹River, in the land of the sons of his people, to call him, saying, “Behold, a people came out of Egypt; behold, they cover the surface of the land, and they are living opposite me.

⁶“^aNow, therefore, please come, ^bcurse this people for me since they are too ¹mighty for me; perhaps I may be able to ²defeat them and drive them out of the land. For I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed.”

⁷So the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the fees for ^adivination in their hand; and they came to Balaam and ¹repeated Balak’s words to him.

⁸He said to them, “Spend the night here, and I will bring word back to you as the Lord may speak to me.” And the leaders of Moab stayed with Balaam.

⁹Then ^aGod came to Balaam and said, “Who are these men with you?”

¹⁰Balaam said to God, “Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, has sent word to me,

¹¹‘Behold, there is a people who came out of Egypt and they cover the surface of the land; now come, curse them for me; perhaps I may be able to fight against them and drive them out.’ ”

¹²God said to Balaam, “Do not go with them; ^ayou shall not curse the people, for they ^bare blessed.”

¹³So Balaam arose in the morning and said to Balak’s leaders, “Go back to your land, for the Lord has refused to let me go with you.”

¹⁴The leaders of Moab arose and went to Balak and said, “Balaam refused to come with us.”

¹⁵Then Balak again sent leaders, more numerous and more distinguished than ¹the former.

¹⁶They came to Balaam and said to him, “Thus says Balak the son of Zippor, ‘Let nothing, I beg you, hinder you from coming to me;

¹⁷for I will indeed honor you richly, and I will do whatever you say to me. ^aPlease come then, curse this people for me.’ ”

¹⁸Balaam replied to the servants of Balak, “^aThough Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything, either small or great, contrary to the ¹command of the Lord my God.

¹⁹“Now please, you also stay here tonight, and I will find out what else the Lord will speak to me.”

²⁰God came to Balaam at night and said to him, “If the men have come to call you, rise up and go with them; but ^aonly the word which I speak to you shall you do.”