Numbers 22:4-18

⁴And Moab said to the elders of Midian, 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 Balak son of Zippor was king of Moab at that time.

⁵And he sent ambassadors to Balaam the son of Beor, to Pethor, 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 Midian, and their divining instruments were in their hands; and they came to Balaam, and spoke to him the words of Balak.

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, Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab, sent them to me, saying,

¹¹Behold, a people has come forth out of Egypt, and has covered the face of the land, and it has encamped near to me; and now come, curse it for me, if indeed I shall be able to smite it, and cast it out of the land.

¹²And God said to Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them, neither shalt thou curse the people; for they are blessed.

¹³And Balaam rose up in the morning, and said to the princes of Balak, Depart quickly to your lord; God does not permit me to go with you.

¹⁴And the princes of Moab rose, and came to Balak, and said, Balaam will not come with us.

¹⁵And Balak yet again sent more princes and more honorable than they.

¹⁶And they came to Balaam, and they say to him, Thus says Balak the son of Zippor: I beseech thee, delay not to come to me.

¹⁷For I will greatly honor thee, and will do for thee whatsoever thou shalt say; come then, curse me this people.

¹⁸And Balaam answered and said to the princes of Balak, If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I shall not be able to go beyond the word of the Lord God, to make it little or great in my mind.