1 And the children of Israel removed, and pitched in the fields of Moab, on the other side of Jordan, by Jericho. 2 And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites, 3 and the Moabites were sore afraid of the people, because they were many; and abhorred the children of Israel. 4 And Moab said unto the elders of Midian, "Now this company hath licked up all that are round about us, as an ox licketh up the grass of the field." And Balak the son of Zippor was king of the Moabites at that time. 5 And he sent messengers unto Balaam the son of Beor, the interpreter, which dwelt upon the river of the land of the children of his folk; to call him, saying, "Behold, there is a people come out of Egypt which covereth the face of the earth and lie even hard by me. 6 Come now a fellowship, and curse me this people. For they are too mighty for me, so peradventure I might be able to smite them and to drive them out of the land. For I know that whom thou blessest shall be blessed, and whom thou cursest shall be cursed."
7 And the elders of Moab went with the elders of Midian, and the reward of the soothsaying in their hands. And they came unto Balaam and told him the words of Balak. 8 And he said unto them, "Tarry here all night and I will bring you word, even as the LORD shall say unto me." And the lords of Moab abode with Balaam.
9 And God came unto Balaam, and said, "What men are these which are with thee?"
10 And Balaam said unto God, "Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, hath sent unto me, saying, 11 'Behold, there is a people come out of Egypt and covereth the face of the earth: come now therefore and curse me them, that so peradventure I may be able to overcome them in battle, and to drive them out.'"
12 And God said unto Balaam, "Thou shalt not go with them, neither curse the people: for they are blessed."
13 And Balaam rose up in the morning, and said unto the lords of Balak, "Get you unto your land, for the LORD will not suffer me to go with you."
14 And the lords of Moab rose up and went unto Balak and said, "Balaam would not come with us."
15 And Balak sent again a greater company of lords, and more honorable than they. 16 And they came to Balaam and told him, "Thus sayeth Balak, the son of Zippor: 'Oh, let nothing let thee to come unto me, 17 for I will greatly promote thee unto great honour, and will do whatsoever thou sayest unto me! Come therefore I pray thee, curse me this people.'"
18 And Balaam answered and said unto the servants of Balak, "If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I can go no further than the word of the LORD my God, to do less or more. 19 Nevertheless tarry ye here all night: that I may know what the LORD will say unto me once more."
20 And God came to Balaam by night and said unto him, "If the men come to fetch thee, rise up and go with them: but what I say unto thee, that only thou shalt do." 21 And Balaam rose up early and saddled his ass and went with the lords of Moab.
22 But God was angry because he went. And the angel of the LORD stood in the way against him. And he rode upon his ass and two servants with him. 23 And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD stand in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand, she turned aside out of the way and went out into the field. And Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way. 24 And the angel of the LORD went and stood in a path between the vineyards, where was a wall on the one side and another on the other. 25 When the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she wrenched unto the wall and thrust Balaam's foot unto the wall, and he smote her again. 26 And the angel of the LORD went further and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn, either to the righthand or to the left. 27 And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she fell down under Balaam: and Balaam was wroth and smote the ass with a staff.
28 And the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, "What have I done unto thee, that thou smitest me thus three times?"
29 And Balaam said unto the Ass, "Because thou hast mocked me! I would that I had a sword in mine hand, that I might now kill thee."
30 And the ass said unto Balaam, "Am not I thine ass which thou hast ridden upon since thou wast born unto this day? Was I ever wont to do so unto thee?" And he said, "Nay."
31 And the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam that he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, with his sword drawn in his hand. And he bowed himself and fell flat on his face. 32 And the angel of the LORD said unto him, "Wherefore smitest thou thine ass this three times? Behold, I came out to resist thee, for the way is contrary unto me, 33 and the ass saw me and avoided me three times: or else, had she not turned from me, I had surely slain thee and saved her alive."
34 And Balaam said unto the angel of the LORD, "I have sinned: for I wist not that thou stoodest in the way against me. Now therefore if it displease thine eyes, I will turn again."
35 And the angel said unto Balaam, "Go with the men: but in any wise, what I say unto thee, that say." And Balaam went with the lords of Balak.
36 And when Balak heard that Balaam was come, he went out against him unto a city of Moab that stood in the border of Arnon, which was the utmost part of his country. 37 And Balak said unto Balaam, "Did I not send for thee, to call thee? Wherefore camest thou not unto me? Thinkest thou that I am not able to promote thee unto honour?"
38 And Balaam said unto Balak, "Lo, I am come unto thee. But I can say nothing at all, save what God putteth in my mouth that must I speak." 39 And Balaam went with Balak, and they came unto the city of Huzoth. 40 And Balak offered oxen and sheep, and sent for Balaam and for the lords that were with him.
41 And on the morning Balak took Balaam and brought him up into the high place of Baal, and thence he saw unto the utmost part of the people.