1 T he Israelites journeyed and encamped in the plains of Moab, on the east side of the Jordan at Jericho.

Then the children of Israel moved, and camped in the plains of Moab on the side of the Jordan across from Jericho.

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

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

3 A nd Moab was terrified at the people and full of dread, because they were many. Moab was distressed and overcome with fear because of the Israelites.

And Moab was exceedingly afraid of the people because they were many, and Moab was sick with dread because of the children of Israel.

4 A nd Moab said to the elders of Midian, Now will this multitude lick up all that is round about us, as the ox licks up the grass of the field. So Balak son of Zippor, the king of the Moabites at that time,

So Moab said to the elders of Midian, “Now this company will lick up everything around us, as an ox licks up the grass of the field.” And Balak the son of Zippor was king of the Moabites at that time.

5 S ent messengers to Balaam son of Beor at Pethor, which is by the River, even to the land of the children of his people, to say to him, There is a people come out from Egypt; behold, they cover the face of the earth and they have settled down and dwell opposite me.

Then he sent messengers to Balaam the son of Beor at Pethor, which is near the River in the land of the sons of his people, to call him, saying: “Look, a people has come from Egypt. See, they cover the face of the earth, and are settling next to me!

6 N ow come, I beg of you, curse this people for me, for they are too powerful for me. Perhaps I may be able to defeat 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.

Therefore please come at once, curse this people for me, for they are too mighty for me. Perhaps I shall be able to defeat 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.”

7 A nd the elders of Moab and of Midian departed with the rewards of foretelling in their hands; and they came to Balaam and told him the words of Balak.

So the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the diviner’s fee in their hand, and they came to Balaam and spoke to him the words of Balak.

8 A nd he said to them, Lodge here tonight and I will bring you word as the Lord may speak to me. And the princes of Moab abode with Balaam.

And he said to them, “Lodge here tonight, and I will bring back word to you, as the Lord speaks to me.” So the princes of Moab stayed with Balaam.

9 A nd God came to Balaam, and said, What men are these with you?

Then God came to Balaam and said, “Who are these men with you?”

10 A nd Balaam said to God, Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab, has sent to me, saying,

So Balaam said to God, “Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, has sent to me, saying,

11 B ehold, the people who came out of Egypt cover the face of the earth; come now, curse them for me. Perhaps I shall be able to fight against them and drive them out.

‘Look, a people has come out of Egypt, and they cover the face of the earth. Come now, curse them for me; perhaps I shall be able to overpower them and drive them out.’”

12 A nd God said to Balaam, You shall not go with them; you shall not curse the people, for they are blessed.

And God said to Balaam, “You shall not go with them; you shall not curse the people, for they are blessed.”

13 A nd Balaam rose up in the morning, and said to the princes of Balak, Go back to your own land, for the Lord refuses to permit me to go with you.

So Balaam rose in the morning and said to the princes of Balak, “Go back to your land, for the Lord has refused to give me permission to go with you.”

14 S o the princes of Moab rose up and went to Balak, and said, Balaam refuses to come with us.

And the princes of Moab rose and went to Balak, and said, “Balaam refuses to come with us.”

15 T hen Balak again sent princes, more of them and more honorable than the first ones.

Then Balak again sent princes, more numerous and more honorable than they.

16 A nd they came to Balaam, and said to him, Thus says Balak son of Zippor, I beg of you, let nothing hinder you from coming to me.

And they came to Balaam and said to him, “Thus says Balak the son of Zippor: ‘Please let nothing hinder you from coming to me;

17 F or I will promote you to very great honor and I will do whatever you tell me; so come, I beg of you, curse this people for me.

for I will certainly honor you greatly, and I will do whatever you say to me. Therefore please come, curse this people for me.’”

18 A nd Balaam answered the servants of Balak, If 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.

Then Balaam answered and said to the servants of Balak, “Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the word of the Lord my God, to do less or more.

19 N ow therefore, I pray you, tarry here again tonight that I may know what more the Lord will say to me.

Now therefore, please, you also stay here tonight, that I may know what more the Lord will say to me.”

20 A nd God came to Balaam at night, and said to him, If the men come to call you, rise up and go with them, but still only what I tell you may you do.

And God came to Balaam at night and said to him, “If the men come to call you, rise and go with them; but only the word which I speak to you—that you shall do.”

21 A nd Balaam rose up in the morning and saddled his donkey and went with the princes of Moab.

So Balaam rose in the morning, saddled his donkey, and went with the princes of Moab. Balaam, the Donkey, and the Angel

22 A nd God’s anger was kindled because he went, and the Angel of the Lord stood in the way as an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his donkey, and his two servants were with him.

Then God’s anger was aroused because he went, and the Angel of the Lord took His stand in the way as an adversary against him. And he was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him.

23 A nd the donkey saw the Angel of the Lord standing in the way and His sword drawn in His hand, and the donkey turned aside out of the way and went into the field. And Balaam struck the donkey to turn her into the way.

Now the donkey saw the Angel of the Lord standing in the way with His drawn sword in His hand, and the donkey turned aside out of the way and went into the field. So Balaam struck the donkey to turn her back onto the road.

24 B ut the Angel of the Lord stood in a path of the vineyards, a wall on this side and a wall on that side.

Then the Angel of the Lord stood in a narrow path between the vineyards, with a wall on this side and a wall on that side.

25 A nd when the donkey saw the Angel of the Lord, she thrust herself against the wall and crushed Balaam’s foot against it, and he struck her again.

And when the donkey saw the Angel of the Lord, she pushed herself against the wall and crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall; so he struck her again.

26 A nd the Angel of the Lord went further and stood in a narrow place where there was no room to turn, either to the right hand or to the left.

Then the Angel of the Lord went further, and stood in a narrow place where there was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left.

27 A nd when the donkey saw the Angel of the Lord, she fell down under Balaam, and Balaam’s anger was kindled and he struck the donkey with his staff.

And when the donkey saw the Angel of the Lord, she lay down under Balaam; so Balaam’s anger was aroused, and he struck the donkey with his staff.

28 A nd the Lord opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, What have I done to you that you should strike me these three times?

Then the Lord opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?”

29 A nd Balaam said to the donkey, Because you have ridiculed and provoked me! I wish there were a sword in my hand, for now I would kill you!

And Balaam said to the donkey, “Because you have abused me. I wish there were a sword in my hand, for now I would kill you!”

30 A nd the donkey said to Balaam, Am not I your donkey, upon which you have ridden all your life long until this day? Was I ever accustomed to do so to you? And he said, No.

So the donkey said to Balaam, “ Am I not your donkey on which you have ridden, ever since I became yours, to this day? Was I ever disposed to do this to you?” And he said, “No.”

31 T hen the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the Angel of the Lord standing in the way with His sword drawn in His hand; and he bowed his head and fell on his face.

Then the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the Angel of the Lord standing in the way with His drawn sword in His hand; and he bowed his head and fell flat on his face.

32 A nd the Angel of the Lord said to him, Why have you struck your donkey these three times? See, I came out to stand against and resist you, for your behavior is willfully obstinate and contrary before Me.

And the Angel of the Lord said to him, “Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out to stand against you, because your way is perverse before Me.

33 A nd the ass saw Me and turned from Me these three times. If she had not turned from Me, surely I would have slain you and saved her alive.

The donkey saw Me and turned aside from Me these three times. If she had not turned aside from Me, surely I would also have killed you by now, and let her live.”

34 B alaam said to the Angel of the Lord, I have sinned, for I did not know You stood in the way against me. But now, if my going displeases You, I will return.

And Balaam said to the Angel of the Lord, “I have sinned, for I did not know You stood in the way against me. Now therefore, if it displeases You, I will turn back.”

35 T he Angel of the Lord said to Balaam, Go with the men, but you shall speak only what I tell you. So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.

Then the Angel of the Lord said to Balaam, “Go with the men, but only the word that I speak to you, that you shall speak.” So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.

36 W hen Balak heard that Balaam had come, he went out to meet him at the city of Moab on the border formed by the Arnon, at the farthest end of the boundary.

Now when Balak heard that Balaam was coming, he went out to meet him at the city of Moab, which is on the border at the Arnon, the boundary of the territory.

37 B alak said to Balaam, Did I not send to you to ask you to me? Why did you not come? Am not I able to promote you to honor?

Then Balak said to Balaam, “Did I not earnestly send to you, calling for you? Why did you not come to me? Am I not able to honor you?”

38 A nd Balaam said to Balak, Indeed I have come to you, but do I now have any power at all to say anything? The word that God puts in my mouth, that shall I speak.

And Balaam said to Balak, “Look, I have come to you! Now, have I any power at all to say anything? The word that God puts in my mouth, that I must speak.”

39 A nd Balaam went with Balak, and they came to Kiriath-huzoth.

So Balaam went with Balak, and they came to Kirjath Huzoth.

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

Then Balak offered oxen and sheep, and he sent some to Balaam and to the princes who were with him. Balaam’s First Prophecy

41 A nd on the following day Balak took Balaam and brought him up into the high places of Bamoth-baal; from there he saw the nearest of the Israelites.

So it was, the next day, that Balak took Balaam and brought him up to the high places of Baal, that from there he might observe the extent of the people.