1 And the sons of Israel set forward and pitched in the plains of Moab on this side Jordan in front of Jericho. 2 And Balak, the son of Zippor, saw all that Israel had done to the Amorite. 3 And Moab was sore afraid of the people because they were many; and Moab was distressed because of the sons of Israel. 4 And Moab said unto the elders of Midian, Now shall this company lick up all that are round about us, as the ox licks up the herbs of the field. And Balak, the son of Zippor, was king of the Moabites at that time. 5 Therefore he sent messengers unto Balaam, the son of Beor, to Pethor, which is by the river Eufrates in the land of the sons of his people, to call him, saying, Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt; behold, they cover the face of the earth, and they abide over against me. 6 Come now therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people, for they are too mighty for me; peradventure I shall be able to smite them and drive them out of the land; for I know that he whom thou blessest shall be blessed, and he whom thou cursest shall be cursed.
7 And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the incantations in their hand; and they came unto Balaam and spoke unto him the words of Balak. 8 And he said unto them, Lodge here this night, and I will recite the words unto you when the LORD shall speak unto me. So the princes of Moab abode with Balaam. 9 And God came unto Balaam and said, Who are these men with thee? 10 And Balaam said unto God, Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, has sent unto me, saying, 11 Behold, this people that has come out of Egypt, covers the face of the earth; come now, curse me them; peradventure I shall be able to overcome them and drive them out. 12 Then God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; neither shalt thou curse the people; for they are blessed. 13 So Balaam rose up in the morning and said unto the princes of Balak, Go back to your land; for the LORD refuses to give me leave to go with you. 14 And the princes of Moab rose up, and they went unto Balak and said, Balaam refused to come with us.
15 And Balak sent yet again princes, more and more honourable than those. 16 And they came to Balaam and said to him, Thus saith Balak, the son of Zippor, Let nothing, I pray thee, hinder thee from coming unto me; 17 for I will without a doubt honour thee greatly, and I will do whatever thou sayest unto me; come therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people. 18 And Balaam answered and said unto the slaves of Balak, If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the LORD my God, to do anything small or great. 19 Now therefore, I pray you, tarry ye also here this night that I may know what the LORD will say unto me again. 20 And God came unto Balaam at night and said unto him, If the men come to call thee, rise up, and go with them; but yet the word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou do. 21 So Balaam rose up in the morning and saddled his female ass and went with the princes of Moab.