Numbers 22:1-10

¹And the children of Israel departed, and encamped on the west of Moab by Jordan toward Jericho.

²And when Balac son of Sepphor saw all that Israel did to the Amorite,

³then Moab feared the people exceedingly because they were many; and Moab was grieved before the face of the children of Israel.

⁴And Moab said to the elders of Madiam, Now shall this assembly lick up all that are round about us, as a calf would lick up the green herbs of the field:—and Balac son of Sepphor was king of Moab at that time.

⁵And he sent ambassadors to Balaam the son of Beor, to Phathura, which is on a river of the land of the sons of his people, to call him, saying, Behold, a people is come out of Egypt, and behold it has covered the face of the earth, and it has encamped close to me.

⁶And now come, curse me this people, for it is stronger than we; if we may be able to smite some of them, and I will cast them out of the land: for I know that whomsoever thou dost bless, they are blessed, and whomsoever thou dost curse, they are cursed.

⁷And the elders of Moab went, and the elders of Madiam, and their divining instruments were in their hands; and they came to Balaam, and spoke to him the words of Balac.

⁸And he said to them, Tarry here the night, and I will answer you the things which the Lord shall say to me; and the princes of Moab stayed with Balaam.

⁹And God came to Balaam, and said to him, Who are these men with thee?

¹⁰And Balaam said to God, Balac son of Sepphor, king of Moab, sent them to me, saying,