Numbers 22:3-19

³And the Moabites were sore afraide of the people, because they were many, and Moab fretted against the children of Israel.

⁴Therfore Moab said vnto the Elders of Midian, Nowe shall this multitude licke vp all that are round about vs, as an oxe licketh vp ye grasse of the fielde: and Balak the sonne of Zippor was King of the Moabites at that time.

⁵Hee sent messengers therefore vnto Balaam the sonne of Beor to Pethor (which is by the riuer of the lande of the children of his folke) to call him, saying, Beholde, there is a people come out of Egypt, which couer the face of the earth, and lye ouer against me.

⁶Come now therefore, I pray thee, and curse me this people (for they are stronger then I) so it may be that I shall be able to smite them, and to driue them out of the land: for I knowe that hee, whome thou blessest, is blessed, and he whom thou cursest, shall be cursed.

⁷And the Elders of Moab, and the Elders of Midian departed, hauing the reward of the soothsaying in their hande, and they came vnto Balaam, and tolde him the wordes of Balak.

⁸Who answered them, Tary here this night, and I will giue you an answere, as the Lord shall say vnto mee. So the princes of Moab abode with Balaam.

⁹Then God came vnto Balaam, and sayde, What men are these with thee?

¹⁰And Baalam said vnto God, Balak ye sonne of Zippor, king of Moab hath set vnto me, saying,

¹¹Beholde, there is a people come out of Egypt and couereth the face of the earth: come nowe, curse them for my sake: so it may be that I shalbe able to ouercome them in battell, and to driue them out.

¹²And God said vnto Balaam, Go not thou with them, neither curse the people, for they are blessed.

¹³And Balaam rose vp in the morning, and sayde vnto ye princes of Balak, Returne vnto your land: for the Lord hath refused to giue me leaue to go with you.

¹⁴So the princes of Moab rose vp, and went vnto Balak, and sayd, Balaam hath refused to come with vs.

¹⁵Balak yet sent againe moe princes, and more honourable then they.

¹⁶Who came to Balaam, and sayde to him, Thus saith Balak the sonne of Zippor, Bee not thou staied, I pray thee, from comming vnto me.

¹⁷For I wil promote thee vnto great honour, and wil do whatsoeuer thou sayest vnto me: come therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people.

¹⁸And Balaam answered, and sayde vnto the seruants of Balak, If Balak woulde giue me his house full of siluer and golde, I can not goe beyonde the worde of the Lord my God, to doe lesse or more.

¹⁹But nowe, I pray you, tary here this night, that I may wit, what the Lord will say vnto mee more.