Balak Summons Balaam

22 Then the Israelites traveled to the plains of Moabo and camped along the Jordanp across from Jericho.q

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

4 The Moabitest said to the elders of Midian,u “This horde is going to lick up everythingv 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, 5 sent 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. 6 Now come and put a cursea 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.”

7 The 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.