Numbers [In the desert] 22:2-22

²Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel God prevails had done to the Amorites Descendants of Talkers.

³Moab From father was very afraid of the people, because they were many. Moab From father was distressed because of the children of Israel God prevails.

⁴Moab From father said to the elders of Midian Strife, “Now this multitude will lick up all that is around us, as the ox licks up the grass of the field.” Balak the son of Zippor was king of Moab From father at that time.

⁵He sent messengers to Balaam Not people, Destroyer of people the son of Beor, to Pethor, which is by the River, to the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying, “Behold, there is a people who came out of Egypt Abode of slavery. Behold, they cover the surface of the earth, and they are staying opposite me.

⁶Please come now therefore curse me this people; for they are too mighty for me. Perhaps I shall prevail, that we may strike them, and that I may divorce them out of the land; for I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed.”

⁷The elders of Moab From father and the elders of Midian Strife departed with the rewards of divination in their hand. They came to Balaam Not people, Destroyer of people, and spoke to him the words of Balak.

⁸He said to them, “Lodge here this night, and I will bring you word again, as Adonai shall speak to me.” The princes of Moab From father stayed with Balaam Not people, Destroyer of people.

⁹God came to Balaam Not people, Destroyer of people, and said, “Who are these men with you?”

¹⁰Balaam Not people, Destroyer of people said to God, “Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab From father, has said to me,

¹¹‘Behold, the people that has come out of Egypt Abode of slavery covers the surface of the earth. Now, come curse me them. Perhaps I shall be able to fight against them, and shall drive them out.’”

¹²God said to Balaam Not people, Destroyer of people, “You shall not go with them. You shall not curse the people; for they are blessed.” (RY:5, LY:2)

¹³Balaam Not people, Destroyer of people rose up in the morning, and said to the princes of Balak, “Go to your land; for Adonai refuses to permit me to go with you.”

¹⁴The princes of Moab From father rose up, and they went to Balak, and said, “Balaam Not people, Destroyer of people refuses to come with us.”

¹⁵Balak again sent princes, more, and more honorable than they.

¹⁶They came to Balaam Not people, Destroyer of people, and said to him, “Thus says Balak the son of Zippor, ‘Please let nothing hinder you from coming to me,

¹⁷for I will promote you to very great honor, and whatever you say to me I will do. Please come therefore, and curse this people for me.’”

¹⁸Balaam Not people, Destroyer of people answered the servants of Balak, “If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I can’t go beyond the word of Adonai my God, to do less or more.

¹⁹Now therefore, please wait also here this night, that I may know what Adonai will speak to me more.”

²⁰God came to Balaam Not people, Destroyer of people at night, and said to him, “If the men have come to call you, rise up, go with them; but only the word which I speak to you, that you shall do.” (LY:3)

²¹Balaam Not people, Destroyer of people rose up in the morning, and saddled his donkey, and went with the princes of Moab From father.

²²God’s anger burned because he went; and ha mal'ak Yahweh the Angel of He sustains breathing placed himself in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him.