Numbers 22

1. Then the children of Israel set out and pitched in the plains of Moab on this side of the Jordan by Jericho.

2. And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites.

3. And Moab was much afraid of the people because they were many. And Moab was worried because of the children of Israel.

4. And Moab said to the elders of Midian, “Now this company is licking up all around us, as the ox licks up the grass of the field.” And Balak, the son of Zippor, was king of the Moabites at that time.

5. Therefore he sent messengers to Balaam the son of Beor, to Pethor, by the river of the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying, “Behold, a people has come out from Egypt. Behold, they cover the face of the earth, and they are dwelling across from me.

6. Therefore, I pray you, come now and curse this people for me, for they are too mighty for me. Perhaps I shall prevail so that we may strike them, and so that I may drive them out of the land, for I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed.”

7. And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian set out with the rewards of divination in their hand. And they came to Balaam and spoke the words of Balak to him.

8. And he said to them, “Stay here tonight, and I will bring you word again, as the LORD shall speak to me.” And the leaders of Moab stayed with Balaam.

9. And God came to Balaam and said, “What men are these with you?”

10. And Balaam said to God, “Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, has sent them to me, saying,

11. ‘Behold, a people has come out of Egypt which covers the face of the earth. Come now, curse them for me. Perhaps, I shall be able to overcome them and drive them out.’ ”

12. And God said to Balaam, “You shall not go with them. You shall not curse the people, for they are blessed.”

13. And Balaam rose up in the morning and said to the leaders of Balak, “Go into your land, for the LORD refuses to let me go with you.”

14. And the leaders of Moab rose up. And they went to Balak and said, “Balaam refuses to come with us.”

15. And Balak sent leaders again, more numerous and more honorable than those.

16. And they came to Balaam and said to him, “Thus says Balak, the son of Zippor, ‘Please let nothing hinder you from coming to me,

17. For I will raise you up to very great honor, and I will do whatever you say to me. Please come then and curse this people for me.’ ”

18. And Balaam answered and said to the servants of Balak, “If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the LORD my God to do less or more.

19. But please now stay here also this night so that I may know what more the LORD will say to me.”

20. And God came to Balaam at night and said to him, “If the men come to call you, rise up, go with them. But only the word which I shall say to you, that you shall do.”

21. And Balaam rose up in the morning and saddled his donkey, and went with the rulers of Moab.

22. And God’s anger was kindled because he went. And the angel of the LORD stood in the way as an enemy against him. And as he was riding upon his donkey, and his two servants with him,

23. Then the donkey saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand. And the donkey turned aside out of the way and went into the field. And Balaam struck the donkey, to turn her back into the way.

24. But the angel of the LORD stood in a path of the vineyards, a wall on this side, and a wall on that side.

25. And when the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she pushed herself into the wall and crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall. And he struck her again.

26. And the angel of the LORD went further and stood in a narrow place, where there was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left.

27. And when the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she fell down under Balaam. And Balaam’s anger was kindled, and he struck the donkey with a staff.

28. And the LORD opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you that you have beaten me these three times?”

29. And Balaam said to the donkey, “Because you have mocked me. I wish there were a sword in my hand, for now I would kill you.”

30. And the donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your donkey upon which you have ridden ever since I was yours to this day? Was I ever known to do so to you?” And he said, “No.”

31. Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand. And he bowed down his head and fell on his face.

32. And the angel of the LORD said to him, “Why have you beaten your donkey these three times? Behold, I came out to withstand you because your way is perverse before me.

33. And the donkey saw me and turned from me these three times. Unless she had turned from me, surely now I also would have killed you and saved her alive.”

34. And Balaam said to the angel of the LORD, “I have sinned, for I did not know that you stood in the way against me. Now therefore, if it displeases you, I will go back again.”

35. And the angel of the LORD said to Balaam, “Go with the men. But only the word that I shall speak to you, that you shall speak.” So Balaam went with the leaders of Balak.

36. And when Balak heard that Balaam had come, he went out to meet him, at the city of Moab on the border of Arnon, which is in the outermost border.

37. And Balak said to Balaam, “Did I not earnestly send to you to call you? Why did you not come to me? Am I not able indeed to lift you up to honor?”

38. And Balaam said to Balak, “Lo, I have come to you. Have I now any power at all to say anything? The word that God puts in my mouth, that I shall speak.”

39. And Balaam went with Balak, and they came to Kirjath Huzoth.

40. And Balak sacrificed oxen and sheep, and sent to Balaam and to the leaders that were with him.

41. And it came to pass on the next day, Balak took Balaam and brought him up into the high places of Baal so that from there he might see the extent of the people.