[1] And the children of Israel set forward, and pitched in the plains of Moab on this side Jordan by Jericho. [2] And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites. [3] And Moab was sore afraid of the people, because they were many: and Moab was distressed because of the children of Israel. [4] And Moab said unto the elders of Midian, Now shall this company lick up all that are round about us, as the ox licketh up the grass of the field. And Balak the son of Zippor was king of the Moabites at that time. [5] He sent messengers therefore unto Balaam the son of Beor to Pethor, which is by the river of the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying, Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt: behold, they cover the face of the earth, and they abide over against me: [6] now therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people; for they are too mighty for me: peradventure I shall prevail, that we may smite them, and that I may drive them out of the land: for I wot that he whom thou blessest and he whom thou cursest [7] And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian with the rewards of divination in their hand; and they came unto Balaam, and spake unto him the words of Balak. [8] And he said unto them, Lodge here this night, you word again, as the LORD shall speak unto me: and the princes of Moab abode with Balaam. [9] And God came unto Balaam, and said, What men [10] And Balaam said unto God, Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, hath sent [11] Behold, there is a people come out of Egypt, which covereth the face of the earth: now, curse me them; peradventure I shall be able to overcome them, and drive them out. [12] And God said unto Balaam, with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed. [13] And Balaam rose up in the morning, and said unto the princes of Balak, you into your land: for the LORD refuseth to give me leave to go [14] And the princes of Moab rose up, and they went unto Balak, and said, Balaam refuseth to come [15] And Balak sent yet again princes, more, and more honourable [16] And they came to Balaam, and said Balak the son of Zippor, Let nothing, I pray thee, hinder thee from coming unto me: [17] thee unto very great and I will do whatsoever thou sayest therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people. [18] And Balaam answered and said unto the servants of Balak, would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the LORD my God, to do less or more. [19] Now therefore, I pray you, tarry ye also here this night, that I may know what the LORD will say unto me more. [20] And God came unto Balaam at night, and said come to call thee, rise up, with them; but yet the word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou do. [21] And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, with the princes of Moab.