Numbers 22

1The children of Israel journeyed and encamped in the plains of Moab beyond the Jordan at Jericho.

2Balak son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites.

3Moab greatly feared the people because they were so numerous, and Moab was distressed because of Israel's sons.

4Moab said to the elders of Midian, "Now the congregation will lick up all around us, like an ox licks up the grass of the field." Balak son of Zippor was king of Moab at that time.

5He sent messengers to Balaam son of Beor, to Pethor by the river in the land of the children of his people, to summon him, saying, "Look, a people has come out from Egypt. Look, they cover the face of the land, and they dwell opposite me."

6So now, please come and curse this people for me, for they are mightier than I; perhaps I can strike them and drive 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 and the elders of Midian set out with fees for divination in their hands, came to Balaam, and spoke Balak's words to him.

8He said to them, "Stay here tonight, and I will bring the word back to you, as Yahweh speaks to me." The princes of Moab stayed with Balaam.

9God came to Balaam and said, "Who are these men with you?"

10Balaam said to God, Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab, has sent to me.

11Look, the people coming out from Egypt cover the surface of the earth. Come now, curse it for me; perhaps I can fight it and drive it out.

12God said to Balaam, "Do not go with them; do not curse the people, for they are blessed."

13Balaam arose in the morning and said to Balak's princes, "Go to your land, for Yahweh refuses to let me go with you."

14The princes of Moab arose, went to Balak, and said, "Balaam refuses to go with us."

15Balak sent princes yet again, more numerous and more distinguished than these.

16They came to Balaam and said to him, "Balak son of Zippor declares: Please do not hold back from coming to me."

17For I will greatly honor you, and whatever you say to me I will do. Come now, curse this people for me.

18Balaam replied to Balak's servants, "If Balak gave me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot overstep the command of Yahweh my God to do anything small or great."

19Now please stay here this night as well, so that I may know what more Yahweh will say to me.

20God came to Balaam at night and said to him, "If the men have come to call you, arise, go with them; but only the word that I speak to you—that do."

21Balaam arose in the morning, saddled his donkey, and went with the princes of Moab.

22God’s anger burned because he went, and Yahweh’s angel stationed himself in the road as his adversary. He was riding his donkey, his two servants with him.

23The donkey saw the angel of Yahweh standing in the road with his sword drawn in his hand, and she turned aside from the road into the field, so Balaam struck the donkey to direct her back onto the road.

24The angel of Yahweh stood in a path of the vineyards, a wall on this side and a wall on that side.

25The donkey saw the angel of Yahweh and pressed herself against the wall, crushing Balaam's foot against the wall, and he struck her again.

26The angel of Yahweh continued ahead and stood in a tight spot where there was no path to turn aside right or left.

27The donkey saw the angel of Yahweh and lay down under Balaam, and Balaam's anger burned as he struck the donkey with his staff.

28Yahweh opened the donkey's mouth, and she said to Balaam, "What have I done to you, that you have beaten me these three times?"

29Balaam said to the donkey, "Because you have ridiculed me, if only there were a sword in my hand, for now I would have killed you."

30The donkey said to Balaam, "Am I not your donkey, which you have ridden upon me from your youth until today? Have I ever been accustomed to treating you this way?" He said, "No."

31Yahweh opened Balaam's eyes, and he saw Yahweh's angel standing in the road with his sword drawn in his hand; he bowed his head and fell facedown.

32The angel of Yahweh said to him, “Why have you hit your donkey these three times? See, I have come out to oppose you because your way is crooked before me.”

33The donkey saw me and turned aside from me these three times. Unless she had turned aside from me, surely by now I would have killed you and kept her alive.

34Balaam answered the angel of Yahweh, "I have sinned, because I did not know that you stood in the road to confront me. Now, if it is evil in your eyes, I will go back."

35The angel of Yahweh said to Balaam, "Go with the men, but only the word that I shall speak to you—that you shall speak." Balaam went with Balak's princes.

36When Balak heard that Balaam had come, he went out to meet him at the city of Moab on the border of Arnon, which lay at the edge of the border.

37Balak said to Balaam, "Did I not urgently send to summon you? Why did you not come to me? Am I not surely able to honor you?"

38Balaam said to Balak, "Look, I have come to you. Now, can I say anything? The word that God puts in my mouth, that I will speak."

39Balaam went with Balak, and they arrived at Kiriath Huzoth.

40Balak offered oxen and sheep and sent to Balaam and the princes who were with him.

41In the morning Balak took Balaam and led him up to the high places of Baal, and from there he saw the extremity of the people.