1And the children of Israel journeyed , and encamped in the plains of Moab beyond the Jordan at Jericho . 2And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites. 3And Moab was sore afraid of the people , because they were many : and Moab was distressed because of the children of Israel . 4And Moab said unto the elders of Midian , Now will this multitude lick up all that is round about us , as the ox licketh up the grass of the field . And Balak the son of Zippor was king of Moab at that time . 5And he sent messengers unto Balaam 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 come out from Egypt : behold , they cover the face of the earth, and they abide over against me . 6Come 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 know that he whom thou blessest is blessed , and he whom thou cursest is cursed .
Balaam's Response to Balak's Messengers
7And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand ; and they came unto Balaam , and spake unto him the words of Balak . 8And he said unto them , Lodge here this night , and I will bring you word again , as Jehovah shall speak unto me : and the princes of Moab abode with Balaam . 9And God came unto Balaam , and said, What men are these with thee? 10And Balaam said unto God , Balak the son of Zippor , king of Moab , hath sent unto me , saying , 11Behold , the people that is come out of Egypt , it covereth the face of the earth: now , come curse me them ; peradventure I shall be able to fight against them , and shall drive them out . 12And God said unto Balaam , Thou shalt not go with them ; thou shalt not curse the people ; for they are blessed . 13And Balaam rose up in the morning , and said unto the princes of Balak , Get you into your land; for Jehovah refuseth to give me leave to go with you . 14And the princes of Moab rose up , and they went unto Balak , and said, Balaam refuseth to come with us .
Balak's Persistence
15And Balak sent yet again princes , more , and more honorable than they. 16And they came to Balaam , and said to him , Thus saith Balak the son of Zippor , Let nothing, I pray thee , hinder thee from coming unto me : 17for I will promote thee unto very great honor , and whatsoever thou sayest unto me I will do : come therefore , I pray thee , curse me this people . 18And Balaam answered and said unto the servants of Balak , If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold , I cannot go beyond the word of Jehovah my God , to do less or more . 19Now therefore , I pray you , tarry ye also here this night , that I may know what Jehovah will speak unto me more . 20And God came unto Balaam at night , and said unto him , If the men are come to call thee , rise up , go with them ; but only the word which I speak unto thee , that shalt thou do . 21And Balaam rose up in the morning , and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab .
Balaam's Journey and God's Anger
22And God ’s anger was kindled because he went ; and the angel of Jehovah placed himself in the way for an adversary against him . Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him . 23And the ass saw the angel of Jehovah standing in the way , with his sword drawn in his hand ; and the ass turned aside out of the way , and went into the field : and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way . 24Then the angel of Jehovah stood in a narrow path between the vineyards , a wall being on this side , and a wall on that side . 25And the ass saw the angel of Jehovah , and she thrust herself unto the wall , and crushed Balaam ’s foot against the wall : and he smote her again . 26And the angel of Jehovah went further , and stood in a narrow place , where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left . 27And the ass saw the angel of Jehovah , and she lay down under Balaam : and Balaam ’s anger was kindled , and he smote the ass with his staff . 28And Jehovah opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam , What have I done unto thee , that thou hast smitten me these three times ? 29And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me : I would there were a sword in my hand , for now I had killed thee . 30And the ass said unto Balaam , Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden all thy life long unto this day ? was I ever wont to do so unto thee ? and he said, Nay . 31Then Jehovah opened the eyes of Balaam , and he saw the angel of Jehovah standing in the way , with his sword drawn in his hand ; and he bowed his head , and fell on his face . 32And the angel of Jehovah said unto him , Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times ? behold , I am come forth for an adversary , because thy way is perverse before me : 33and the ass saw me , and turned aside before me these three times : unless she had turned aside from me , surely now I had even slain thee , and saved her alive . 34And Balaam said unto the angel of Jehovah , I have sinned ; for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me : now therefore , if it displease thee , I will get me back again . 35And the angel of Jehovah said unto Balaam , Go with the men ; but only the word that I shall speak unto thee , that thou shalt speak . So Balaam went with the princes of Balak .
Balaam's Prophecies
36And when Balak heard that Balaam was come , he went out to meet him unto the City of Moab , which is on the border of the Arnon, which is in the utmost part of the border . 37And Balak said unto Balaam , Did I not earnestly send unto thee to call thee ? wherefore camest thou not unto me ? am I not able indeed to promote thee to honor ? 38And Balaam said unto Balak , Lo , I am come unto thee : have I now any power at all to speak anything ? the word that God putteth in my mouth , that shall I speak . 39And Balaam went with Balak , and they came unto Kiriath-huzoth . 40And Balak sacrificed oxen and sheep , and sent to Balaam , and to the princes that were with him . 41And it came to pass in the morning , that Balak took Balaam , and brought him up into the high places of Baal ; and he saw from thence the utmost part of the people .