Numbers 22

And the sons of Israel departed and encamped to the west of Moab by the Jordan, opposite Jericho.

And Balak son of Sepphor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorite.

And Moab was exceedingly afraid of the people, because they were many; and Moab was vexed at the presence of the sons of Israel.

And Moab said to the council of elders of Midian: Now this congregation will lick up all that is around us, as a calf licks up the green herbs of the field. And Balak son of Sepphor was king of Moab at that time.

And he sent ambassadors to Balaam son of Beor, to Pathoura, which is by the river of the land of the sons of his people, to call him, saying: Behold, a people has come out of Egypt, and behold, it has covered the face of the earth, and it is settled close to me.

And now come, curse this people for me, for he is stronger than we; if we may be able to strike some of them, then I will drive them out of the land; for I know that whomever you bless are blessed, and whomever you curse are cursed.

And the council of elders of Moab and the council of elders of Midian went, with the divinations in their hands; and they came to Balaam and told him the words of Balak.

And he said to them: Lodge here this night, and I will answer you the things which the Lord may speak to me. And the rulers of Moab stayed with Balaam.

And God came to Balaam and said to him: What are these men with you?

And Balaam said to God: Balak son of Sepphor, king of Moab, sent them to me, saying:

Behold, a people has come out of Egypt, and behold, it has covered the face of the earth, and it is settled close to me; and now come, curse it for me, if perhaps I may be able to strike it and drive it out of the land.

And God said to Balaam: You shall not go with them, nor shall you curse the people, for it is blessed.

And Balaam rose up in the morning and said to the rulers of Balak: Go back to your lord; God does not allow me to go with you.

And the rulers of Moab rose up and came to Balak and said: Balaam is not willing to come with us.

And Balak again sent rulers, more numerous and more honorable than these.

And they came to Balaam and said to him: Thus says Balak son of Sepphor: I beg you, do not hesitate to come to me.

For I will honor you with great honor, and whatever you say I will do for you; and come, curse this people for me.

And Balaam answered and said to the rulers of Balak: If Balak gave me his house full of silver and gold, I could not transgress the word of the Lord God, to do it small or great in my mind.

And now, you also stay here this night, and I will know what the Lord will further speak to me.

And God came to Balaam by night and said to him: If these men have come to call you, rise up and follow them; but the word that I speak to you, that you shall do.

And Balaam rose up in the morning and saddled his donkey and went with the rulers of Moab.

And God was angry with wrath because he went; and the angel of God rose up to oppose him. And he was riding upon his donkey, and his two servants were with him.

And the donkey, seeing the angel of God standing in the way with his sword drawn in his hand, turned aside out of the way and went into the field; and he struck the donkey with his rod to guide her back into the way.

And the angel of God stood in the furrows of the vines, a fence on this side and a fence on that side.

And the donkey, seeing the angel of God, pressed herself against the wall and crushed Balaam's foot; and he beat her yet again.

And the angel of God went on further and stood in a narrow place where there was no turning aside to the right or to the left.

And the donkey, seeing the angel of God, lay down under Balaam; and Balaam was angry and beat the donkey with his rod.

And God opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam: What have I done to you, that you have struck me this third time?

And Balaam said to the donkey: Because you have mocked me; and if I had a sword in my hand, I would already have run you through.

And the donkey said to Balaam: Am I not your donkey, on which you have ridden from your youth until this present day? Have I ever with contempt treated you in this way? And he said: No.

And God uncovered the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way with his sword drawn in his hand; and he bowed down and did obeisance upon his face.

And the angel of God said to him: Why have you struck your donkey this third time? And behold, I came out to oppose you, because your way is not proper before me.

And the donkey, seeing me, turned aside from me these three times; and if she had not turned aside, now then I would have killed you, but preserved her alive.

And Balaam said to the angel of the Lord, I have sinned, for I did not know that you stood against me in the way to meet me; and now, if it does not please you, I will turn back.

And the angel of God said to Balaam, Go with the men; only the word that I shall speak to you, that you shall be careful to speak. And Balaam went with the princes of Balak.

And Balak, hearing that Balaam had come, went out to meet him at a city of Moab, which is on the borders of Arnon, which is at the edge of the borders.

And Balak said to Balaam, Did I not send to you to call you? Why did you not come to me? Shall I really not be able to honour you?

And Balaam said to Balak, Behold, I have come to you; now, shall I be able to say anything at all? The word that God puts into my mouth, that I will speak.

And Balaam went with Balak, and they came to the cities of the encampments.

And Balak sacrificed sheep and calves, and sent them to Balaam and to the princes who were with him.

And it came to pass in the morning that Balak took Balaam and brought him up to the pillar of Baal, and showed him from there a part of the people.