Numbers 22:7-21

7So the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian left with the fees for 1divination in their hands; and they came to Balaam and 2repeated Balak’s words to him. 8And he said to them, “Spend the night here, and I will bring word back to you just as the Lord may speak to me.” And the leaders of Moab stayed with Balaam. 9Then 3God came to Balaam and said, “Who are these men with you?” 10Balaam said to God, “Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, sent word to me: 11‘Behold, there is a people who came out of Egypt, and they cover the surface of the land; now come, curse them for me; perhaps I will be able to fight against them and drive them out.’” 12But God said to Balaam, “Do not go with them; 4you shall not curse the people, for they 5are blessed.” 13So Balaam got up in the morning and said to Balak’s representatives, “Go back to your land, for the Lord has refused to let me go with you.” 14And the representatives from Moab got up and went to Balak, and said, “Balaam refused to come with us.”

15Then Balak sent representatives once again, more numerous and more distinguished than 6the previous. 16They came to Balaam and said to him, “This is what Balak the son of Zippor says: ‘I beg you, let nothing keep you from coming to me; 17for I will indeed honor you richly, and I will do whatever you tell me. 7Please come then, curse this people for me.’” 18But Balaam replied to the servants of Balak, “8Even if Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything, either small or great, contrary to the 9command of the Lord my God. 19Now please, you also stay here tonight, and I will find out what else the Lord will say to me.” 20And God came to Balaam at night and said to him, “If the men have come to call you, rise and go with them; but you shall do 10only the thing that I tell you.”

2111So Balaam arose in the morning, saddled his donkey, and went with the leaders of Moab.