Numbers 22:1-8

¹The Israelites moved on and camped on the plains of Moab east of the Jordan, opposite Jericho.

²Balak, son of Zippor, had seen all that the Israelites had done to the Amorites.

³The Moabites were terrified of the Israelites because there were so many of them. The Moabites dreaded the arrival of the Israelites

⁴and told the leaders of Midian, “This horde will eat up everything we have, just like an ox eats up grass in the field!” (Balak son of Zippor, was king of Moab at that time.)

⁵He sent messengers to call Balaam, son of Beor, who lived in Pethor near the Euphrates River in his own country. “Listen, a group of people has arrived here who came from Egypt,” Balak said in his message to Balaam. “There are hordes of them and they present a real threat to me.

⁶Please come immediately and curse these people for me, because they are stronger than me. Maybe then I'll be able to attack them and drive them out of my country because I know that whoever you bless is blessed, and whoever you curse is cursed.”

⁷The Moabite and Midianite leaders departed, taking payment for the fortune-telling with them. When they arrived they gave Balaam the message from Balak.

⁸“Stay the night and I'll let you know the answer the Lord gives me,” Balaam told them. So the Moabite leaders stayed there with Balaam.