1 And the children of Israel journeyed and encamped in the plains of Moab beyond the Jordan at Jericho.
2 And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites.
3 And Moab was very afraid of the people because they were many, and Moab was distressed because of the children of Israel.
4 And Moab said to the elders of Midian, This multitude will now lick up all that is around us, as the ox licks up the grass of the field. Now Balak the son of Zippor was king of Moab at that time.
5 And he sent messengers to Balaam the son of Beor, to Pethor, which is by the River, to the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying, There is a people here who have come out from Egypt; now they cover the surface of the land and have settled over against me.
6 Now, therefore, please come; curse this people for me, since they are mightier than I. Perhaps I may be able to strike them and drive them out of the land, for I know that whomever you bless is blessed and whomever you curse is cursed.
7 So the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with fees for divination in their hand, and they came to Balaam and spoke to him the words of Balak.
8 And he said to them, Spend tonight here, and I will bring back word to you as Jehovah speaks to me. And the rulers of Moab stayed with Balaam.
9 And God came to Balaam and said, Who are these men with you?
10 And Balaam said to God, Balak the son of Zippor, the king of Moab, has sent word to me, saying,
11 There is a people who came out of Egypt, and they cover the surface of the land. Now come; curse them for me; perhaps I will be able to fight against them and drive them out.
12 And God said to Balaam, You shall not go with them; you shall not curse the people, for they are blessed.
13 So Balaam rose up in the morning and said to the rulers from Balak, Go to your land, for Jehovah has refused to let me go with you.
14 And the rulers of Moab rose up and went to Balak and said, Balaam refuses to come with us.
15 So Balak yet again sent rulers, more numerous and more honorable than these.
16 And they came to Balaam and said to him, Thus says Balak the son of Zippor, Please let nothing hinder you from coming to me,
17 For I will indeed honor you greatly; and whatever you say to me I will do. Please come therefore; curse this people for me.