Numbers 22:1-6

1The Israelites travelled to Moab. They lived in tents at the side of the Jordan River. Jericho city was on the other side of the river.

2The king of Moab at that time was Balak, the son of Zippor. He had seen what the Israelites did to the Amorites.

3The people in Moab were afraid because there were so many Israelites. All the people in Moab became very afraid of the Israelites.

4So the Moabites said to the leaders of the Midianites, ‘This large group of people will destroy everything round us. They will be like a bull that eats all the grass in a field!’ So Balak, the king of Moab,

5sent men to get Balaam, the son of Beor. Balaam was living near the Euphrates river at Pethor. Balak told the men to say to Balaam, ‘A large group of people has come here from Egypt. They cover all the ground, everywhere. They have put up their tents near our land.

6They are more powerful than I am. Come here and put a curse on them. If you do that, maybe I will win against them. Then I can chase them away from our land. I know that you have the authority to bless people or to curse them.’