Numbers 22:1-20

1Then the IsraelitesH1121H3478 traveled onH5265 and campedH2583 in the plainsH6160 of MoabH4124 near the JordanH3383, across fromH5676 JerichoH3405.

2Now BalakH1111 sonH1121 of ZipporH6834 sawH7200 allH3605 thatH834 IsraelH3478 had doneH6213 to the AmoritesH567, 3and MoabH4124 was terrifiedH1481 ofH6440 the peopleH5971H3966 becauseH3588 theyH1931 were numerousH7227. Indeed, MoabH4124H6440 dreadedH6973 the IsraelitesH1121H3478. 4So the MoabitesH4124 saidH559 toH413 the eldersH2205 of MidianH4080H6258, “This hordeH6951 will devourH3897 everythingH3605 around usH5439, as an oxH7794 licks upH3897 the grassH3418 of the fieldH7704.”

Since BalakH1111 sonH1121 of ZipporH6834 was kingH4428 of MoabH4124 at thatH1931 timeH6256, 5he sentH7971 messengersH4397 to summonH413 BalaamH1109 sonH1121 of BeorH1160 at PethorH6604, whichH834 is byH5921 the EuphratesH51041 in the landH776 of his peopleH1121H5971.

“BeholdH2009, a peopleH5971 has come outH3318 of EgyptH4714,” said BalakH7121. “They coverH3680 the faceH5869 of the landH776H1931 and have settledH3427 next to meH4136. 6So pleaseH4994 comeH1980 nowH6258 and put a curseH779 on thisH2088 peopleH5971, becauseH3588 theyH1931 are too mightyH6099 for meH4480. Perhaps I mayH194 be ableH3201 to defeatH5221 them and drive them outH1644 ofH4480 the landH776; forH3588 I knowH3045 that thoseH834 you blessH1288 are blessedH1288, and thoseH834 you curseH779 are cursedH779.”

7The eldersH2205 of MoabH4124H2205 and MidianH4080 departedH1980 with the fees for divinationH7081 in handH3027. They cameH935 toH413 BalaamH1109 and relayedH1696 to himH413 the wordsH1697 of BalakH1111.

8“SpendH3885 the nightH3915 hereH6311,” Balaam repliedH559H413, “and I will giveH7725 you the answerH1697 thatH834 the LORDH3068 speaksH1696 to meH413.” So the princesH8269 of MoabH4124 stayedH3427 withH5973 BalaamH1109.

9Then GodH430 cameH935 toH413 BalaamH1109 and askedH559, “WhoH4310 are theseH428 menH582 with youH5973?”

10And BalaamH1109 saidH559 toH413 GodH430, “BalakH1111 sonH1121 of ZipporH6834, kingH4428 of MoabH4124, sent meH7971 this messageH413: 11‘BeholdH2009, a peopleH5971 has come outH3318 of EgyptH4714, and they coverH3680 the faceH5869 of the landH776. NowH6258 comeH1980 and put a curseH6895 on themH853 for me. Perhaps I mayH194 be ableH3201 to fightH3898 against them and drive them awayH1644.’”

12But GodH430 saidH559 toH413 BalaamH1109, “Do notH3808 goH1980 with themH5973. You are notH3808 to curseH779 this peopleH5971, forH3588 theyH1931 are blessedH1288.”

13So BalaamH1109 got upH6965 the next morningH1242 and saidH559 toH413 Balak’sH1111 princesH8269, “Go backH1980 toH413 your homelandH776, becauseH3588 the LORDH3068 has refusedH3985 to let meH5414 goH1980 with youH5973.”

14And the princesH8269 of MoabH4124 aroseH6965, returnedH935 toH413 BalakH1111, and saidH559, “BalaamH1109 refusedH3985 to comeH1980 with usH5973.”

15Then BalakH1111 sentH7971 otherH3254 princesH8269H5750, more numerousH7227 and more distinguishedH3513 than theH428 first messengers. 16They cameH935 toH413 BalaamH1109 and saidH559, “This is whatH3541 BalakH1111 sonH1121 of ZipporH6834 saysH559: ‘PleaseH4994 let nothingH408 hinderH4513 you from comingH1980 to meH413, 17forH3588 I will honor youH3513 richlyH3966H3513 and doH6213 whateverH3605 you sayH559H413. So pleaseH4994 comeH1980 and put a curseH6895 on thisH2088 people for meH5971!’”

18But BalaamH1109H559 repliedH6030 toH413 the servantsH5650 of BalakH1111, “IfH518 BalakH1111 were to giveH5414 me his houseH1004 fullH4393 of silverH3701 and goldH2091, I couldH3201 notH3808 doH6213 anything smallH6996 orH176 greatH1419 to go beyondH5674 the commandH6310 of the LORDH3068 my GodH430. 19So nowH6258, pleaseH4994 stayH3427 hereH2088 overnightH3915 as the others didH1571H859, that I may find outH3045 whatH4100 elseH3254 the LORDH3068 has to tell meH1696H5973.”

20That nightH3915 GodH430 cameH935 toH413 BalaamH1109 and saidH559, “SinceH518 these menH582 have comeH935 to summonH7121 you, get upH6965 and goH1980 with themH854, but you must onlyH389 doH6213 whatH834 I tell youH1696H413.”