1Then the sonsof Israeljourneyed,and campedin the plainsof Moabbeyondthe Jordan[opposite] Jericho.
2Now Balakthe sonof Zipporsawallthat Israelhad doneto the Amorites.3So Moabwas in greatfearbecauseof the people,for they were numerous;and Moabwas in dreadof the sonsof Israel.4Moabsaidto the eldersof Midian,"Nowthis hordewill lickup allthat is aroundus, as the oxlicksup the grassof the field."And Balakthe sonof Zipporwas kingof Moabat that time.5So he sentmessengersto Balaamthe sonof Beor,at Pethor,whichis nearthe River,[in] the landof the sonsof his people,to callhim, saying,"Behold,a peoplecameout of Egypt;behold,they coverthe surfaceof the land,and they are livingoppositeme.6"Now,therefore, pleasecome,cursethispeoplefor me sincethey are toomightyfor me; perhapsI may be ableto defeatthem and drivethem out of the land.For I knowthat he whomyou blessis blessed,and he whomyou curseis cursed."
7So the eldersof Moaband the eldersof Midiandepartedwith the [fees for] divinationin their hand;and they cameto Balaamand repeatedBalak'swordsto him.8He saidto them, "Spendthe nighthere,and I will bringwordbackto you as the LORDmay speakto me." And the leadersof Moabstayedwith Balaam.9Then Godcameto Balaamand said,"Whoare thesemenwith you?"10Balaamsaidto God,"Balakthe sonof Zippor,kingof Moab,has sent[word] to me,11Behold,there is a peoplewho cameout of Egyptand they coverthe surfaceof the land;nowcome,cursethem for me; perhapsI may be ableto fightagainst them and drivethem out.'"12Godsaidto Balaam,"Do not gowith them; you shall not cursethe people,for they are blessed."13So Balaamarosein the morningand saidto Balak'sleaders,"Gobackto your land,for the LORDhas refusedto letme gowith you."14The leadersof Moabaroseand wentto Balakand said,"Balaamrefusedto comewith us."
15Then Balakagainsentleaders,morenumerousand moredistinguishedthanthe former.16They cameto Balaamand saidto him, "ThussaysBalakthe sonof Zippor,'Let nothing,I begyou, hinderyou from comingto me;17for I will indeedhonoryou richly,and I will dowhateveryou sayto me. Pleasecomethen, cursethispeoplefor me.'"18Balaamrepliedto the servantsof Balak,"ThoughBalakwere to giveme his housefullof silverand gold,I couldnot doanything, either smallorgreat,contraryto the commandof the LORDmy God.19"Nowplease,you alsostayheretonight,and I will findout whatelsethe LORDwill speakto me."20Godcameto Balaamat nightand saidto him, "Ifthe menhave cometo callyou, riseup [and] gowith them; but onlythe wordwhichI speakto you shall you do."
21So Balaamarosein the morning,and saddledhis donkeyand wentwith the leadersof Moab.
22But Godwas angrybecausehe was going,and the angelof the LORDtookhis standin the wayas an adversaryagainst him. Now he was ridingon his donkeyand his twoservantswere with him.23When the donkeysawthe angelof the LORDstandingin the waywith his drawnswordin his hand,the donkeyturnedoff from the wayand wentinto the field;but Balaamstruckthe donkeyto turnher backinto the way.24Then the angelof the LORDstoodin a narrowpathof the vineyards,[with] a wallon thissideand a wallon that side.25When the donkeysawthe angelof the LORD,she pressedherself to the walland pressedBalaam'sfootagainstthe wall,so he struckher again.26The angelof the LORDwentfurther,and stoodin a narrowplacewheretherewas nowayto turnto the righthandor the left.27When the donkeysawthe angelof the LORD,she laydownunderBalaam;so Balaamwas angryand struckthe donkeywith his stick.28And the LORDopenedthe mouthof the donkey,and she saidto Balaam,"Whathave I doneto you, that you have struckme thesethreetimes?"29Then Balaamsaidto the donkey,"Becauseyou have madea mockeryof me! Iftherehadbeena swordin my hand,I would have killedyou by now."30The donkeysaidto Balaam,"Am I not your donkeyon whichyou have riddenallyour lifeto thisday?Have I everbeen accustomedto dosoto you?" And he said,"No."
31Then the LORDopenedthe eyesof Balaam,and he sawthe angelof the LORDstandingin the waywith his drawnswordin his hand;and he bowedall the wayto the ground.32The angelof the LORDsaidto him, "Whyhave you struckyour donkeythesethreetimes?Behold,I have comeout as an adversary,becauseyour waywas contraryto me.33"But the donkeysawme and turnedasidefrom me thesethreetimes.Ifshe had not turnedasidefrom me, I would surelyhave killedyou just now,and let her live."34Balaamsaidto the angelof the LORD,"I have sinned,for I did not knowthat you were standingin the wayagainstme. Nowthen, ifit is displeasingto you, I will turnback."35But the angelof the LORDsaidto Balaam,"Gowith the men,but you shall speakonlythe wordwhichI tellyou." So Balaamwentalong with the leadersof Balak.
36When Balakheardthat Balaamwas coming,he wentout to meethim at the cityof Moab,whichis on the Arnonborder,at the extremeendof the border.37Then Balaksaidto Balaam,"Did I not urgentlysendto you to callyou? Whydid you not cometo me? Am I reallyunableto honoryou?"38So Balaamsaidto Balak,"Behold,I have comenowto you! Am I ableto speakanythingat all? The wordthat Godputsin my mouth,that I shall speak."39And Balaamwentwith Balak,and they cameto Kiriath-huzoth.40Balaksacrificedoxenand sheep,and sent[some] to Balaamand the leaderswhowere with him.
41Then it cameabout in the morningthat BalaktookBalaamand broughthim up to the highplacesof Baal,and he sawfrom therea portionof the people.
