Numbers 22:2–11

²Now Balak son of Zippor^r saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites, ³and Moab was terrified because there were so many people. Indeed, Moab was filled with dread^s because of the Israelites.

⁴The Moabites^t said to the elders of Midian,^u “This horde is going to lick up everything^v around us, as an ox licks up the grass of the field.^w”

So Balak son of Zippor, who was king of Moab at that time, ⁵sent messengers to summon Balaam son of Beor,^x who was at Pethor, near the Euphrates River,^y in his native land. Balak said:

“A people has come out of Egypt;^z they cover the face of the land and have settled next to me. ⁶Now come and put a curse^a on these people, because they are too powerful for me. Perhaps then I will be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land.^b For I know that whoever you bless is blessed, and whoever you curse is cursed.”

⁷The elders of Moab and Midian left, taking with them the fee for divination.^c When they came to Balaam, they told him what Balak had said.

⁸“Spend the night here,” Balaam said to them, “and I will report back to you with the answer the Lord gives me.^d” So the Moabite officials stayed with him.

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

¹⁰Balaam said to God, “Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab, sent me this message: ¹¹‘A people that has come out of Egypt covers the face of the land. Now come and put a curse on them for me. Perhaps then I will be able to fight them and drive them away.’ ”