Numbers 22:1-21 - Balak Hires Balaam

¹ Then did the sons of Israel break up, - and encamp in the waste plains of Moab, on the other side of the Jordan by Jericho. ² And Balak son of Zipper saw all that Israel had done unto the Amorites; ³ and Moab shrank with great fear from the presence of the people because, many, they were, - and Moab was alarmed at the presence of the sons of Israel. ⁴ So Moab said unto the elders of Midian - Now, shall the gathered host lick up all that are round about us, as the ox doth lick up the verdure of the field. But, Balak son of Zippor, was king unto Moab at that time. ⁵ So he sent messengers unto Balaam son of Boor, to Pethor which was by the river of the land of the sons of his people to call him, - saying Lo! a people, hath come forth out of Egypt Lo! he hath covered the eye of the land, Yea he, is tarrying over against me. ⁶ Now, therefore, do come, I pray thee curse me this people. For stronger, he is than I, If peradventure I prevail, we shall smite him, That I may drive him out of the land, - For I know that, he whom thou dost bless, is to be blessed, And the whom thou dost curse, is to be cursed.

⁷ And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian went their way, with the rewards of divination in their hand, - so they came in unto Balaam, and spake unto him the words of Balak. ⁸ And he said unto them - Tarry ye here for the night, and I will bring you back word, as Yahweh shall speak unto me. So the princes of Moab abode with Balaam.

⁹ And God came in unto Balaam, - and said, Who are these men with thee?

¹⁰ Then said Balaam unto God, - Balak, son of Zipper king of Moab, hath sent unto me: ¹¹ Lo! the people that hath come forth out of Egypt - he covereth the eye of the land. Now, do come, do revile me him, Peradventure I shall prevail in making war with him, And shall drive him out.

¹² And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them, - Thou shalt not curse the people, For blessed, he is.

¹³ And Balaam rose up in the morning, and said unto the princes of Balak, Get you into your own land, - For Yahweh hath refused to let me go with you.

¹⁴ So the princes of Moab arose, and came in unto Balak, - and said, Balaam refused to come with us.

¹⁵ Then added Balak again, - to send princes, more and weightier than these. ¹⁶ And they came in unto Balaam, - and said unto him - Thus, said Balak son of Zipper, Do not be withheld, I pray thee from coming unto me: ¹⁷ For I will honour, thee, exceedingly, and all that thou shalt say unto me, will I do. Do come therefore I pray thee oh revile me this people.

¹⁸ And Balaam responded and said unto the servants of Balak, Though Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the bidding of Yahweh my God, to do less or more. ¹⁹ Now, therefore abide here, I pray you even ye, - for the night, - that I may get to know what further Yahweh may be speaking with me.

²⁰ And God came in unto Balaam, by night, and said unto him - If, to call thee, the men have come in, arise go with them, - But only, the thing that I shall speak unto thee, that, shalt thou do. ²¹ So Balaam arose in the morning, and sad-dled his ass, - and went with the princes of Moab.