Numbers 22:1-7

11Then the sons of Israel journeyed on, and camped in the plains of Moab beyond the Jordan opposite Jericho.

2Now 2Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites. 33So Moab was in great fear because of the people, for they were numerous; and Moab was in dread of the sons of Israel. 4Moab said to the elders of 4Midian, “Now this 5horde will eat up all that is around us, as the ox eats up the grass of the field!” And Balak the son of Zippor was king of Moab at that time. 5So he sent messengers to 6Balaam the son of Beor, at 7Pethor, which is near the Euphrates River, in the land of the sons of his people, to call for him, saying, “Behold, a people came out of Egypt; behold, they have covered the surface of the land, and they are living opposite me. 68Now, therefore, please come, 9curse this people for me since they are too 10mighty for me; perhaps I will be able to 11defeat them and drive them out of the land. For I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed.”

7So the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian left with the fees for 12divination in their hands; and they came to Balaam and 13repeated Balak’s words to him.