Numbers 22:7-21

7The elders of Moab and Midian departed with fees for divination in hand. They came to Balaam and reported Balak’s words to him.

8He said to them, “Spend the night here, and I will give you the answer the Lord tells me.” So the officials of Moab stayed with Balaam.

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

10Balaam replied to God, “Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab, sent this message to me:

11‘Look, a people has come out of Egypt, and they cover the surface of the land. Now come and put a curse on them for me. I may be able to fight against them and drive them away.’”

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

13So Balaam got up the next morning and said to Balak’s officials, “Go back to your land, because the Lord has refused to let me go with you.”

14The officials of Moab arose, returned to Balak, and reported, “Balaam refused to come with us.”

15Balak sent officials again who were more numerous and higher in rank than the others.

16They came to Balaam and said to him, “This is what Balak son of Zippor says: ‘Let nothing keep you from coming to me,

17for I will greatly honor you and do whatever you ask me. So please come and put a curse on these people for me! ’”

18But Balaam responded to the servants of Balak, “If Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go against the command of the Lord my God to do anything small or great.

19Please stay here overnight as the others did, so that I may find out what else the Lord has to tell me.”

20God came to Balaam at night and said to him, “Since these men have come to summon you, get up and go with them, but you must only do what I tell you.”

21When he got up in the morning, Balaam saddled his donkey and went with the officials of Moab.