Numbers 22:2–11

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

The Moabites^f said to the elders of Midian,^g “This horde is going to lick up everything^h around us, as an ox licks up the grass of the field.ⁱ”

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

“A people has come out of Egypt;^l they cover the face of the land and have settled next to me. Now come and put a curse^m 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.ⁿ For I know that whoever you bless is blessed, and whoever you curse is cursed.”

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

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

God came to Balaam^q and asked,^r “Who are these men with you?”

Balaam said to God, “Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab, sent me this message: ‘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.’ ”