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.

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.

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.

And God came unto Balaam, and said, "What men are these which are with thee?"

And Balaam said unto God, "Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, hath sent unto me, saying,

And God said unto Balaam, "Thou shalt not go with them, neither curse the people: for they are blessed."

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."

And the lords of Moab rose up and went unto Balak and said, "Balaam would not come with us."

And they came to Balaam and told him, "Thus sayeth Balak, the son of Zippor: 'Oh, let nothing let thee to come unto me,

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.

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."

And Balaam rose up early and saddled his ass and went with the lords of Moab.

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.

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.

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.

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?"

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."

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."

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.

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."

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.

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.

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?"

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."

And Balaam went with Balak, and they came unto the city of Huzoth.

And Balak offered oxen and sheep, and sent for Balaam and for the lords that were with him.

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.

And Balaam said unto Balak, "Build me here seven altars and provide here seven oxen and seven rams."

And Balak did as Balaam said. And Balak and Balaam offered on every altar an ox and a ram.

And Balaam said unto Balak, "Stand by the sacrifice, while I go to know whether the LORD will come and meet me; and whatsoever he showeth me, I will tell thee." And he went forthwith.

And God came unto Balaam, and Balaam said unto him, "I have prepared seven altars, and have offered upon every altar, an ox and a ram."

And the LORD put a saying in Balaam's mouth, and said, "Go again to Balak and say on this wise."

And Balak said unto Balaam, "What hast thou done unto me? I fetched thee to curse mine enemies: and behold, thou blessest them!"

And the LORD met Balaam and put words in his mouth, and said, "Go again unto Balak and thus say."

And Balak said unto Balaam, "Neither curse them nor bless them."

And Balaam answered and said unto Balak, "Told not I thee, saying, 'All that the LORD biddeth me, that I must do?'"

And Balak said unto Balaam, "Come, I pray thee; I will bring thee yet unto another place: so peradventure it shall please God that thou mayest curse them there."

And Balak brought Balaam unto the top of Peor, that boweth toward the wilderness.

And Balaam said unto Balak, "Make me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven bullocks and seven rams."

And Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered a bullock and a ram on every altar.

When Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD that he should bless Israel, he went not as he did twice before to fetch soothsaying, but set his face toward the wilderness,

And he took up his parable, and said, "Balaam the son of Beor hath said;

And Balak was wroth with Balaam, and smote his hands together, and said unto him, "I sent for thee to curse mine enemies: and behold, thou hast blessed them this three times,

And Balaam said unto Balak, "Told I not thy messengers which thou sentest unto me, saying,

And he began his parable and said, "Balaam the son of Beor hath said; and the man that hath his eye open hath said;

And Balaam rose up and went and dwelt in his place: and Balak also went his way.

And they slew the kings of Midian among other that were slain; Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur and Reba: five kings of Midian. And they slew Balaam the son of Beor with the sword.

Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through Balaam, to commit trespass against the LORD by the reason of Peor: and there followed a plague among the congregation of the LORD.