Balak Summons Balaam
And the sons of Israel set out, and camped in the plains of Moab, across the Jordan from Jericho.
And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorite.
And Moab was in great dread before the people, because they were many; and Moab felt a loathing dread before the sons of Israel.
And Moab said to the elders of Midian, “Now this assembly will lick up everything around us, as the ox licks up the green of the field.” Now Balak the son of Zippor was king of Moab at that time.
And he sent messengers to Balaam the son of Beor, to Pethor, which is by the River, in the land of the sons of his people, to call him, saying: “Look — a people has come out of Egypt. Look — they cover the face of the land, and they are settled opposite me.
And now, come, please — curse this people for me, for they are mightier than I. Perhaps I will be able to strike them and drive them out of the land. For I know that whomever you bless is blessed, and whomever you curse is cursed.”
And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian went, with the fees for divination in their hand; and they came to Balaam and spoke to him the words of Balak.
And he said to them, “Stay here tonight, and I will bring you back word, as the LORD speaks to me.” And the princes of Moab stayed with Balaam.
And God came to Balaam and said, “Who are these men with you?”
And Balaam said to God, “Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, has sent to me:
‘Look — the people who came out of Egypt cover the face of the land. Now come, curse them for me; perhaps I will be able to fight against them and drive them out.’”
And God said to Balaam, “You shall not go with them. You shall not curse the people, for they are blessed.”
And Balaam rose in the morning and said to the princes of Balak, “Go to your own land, for the LORD has refused to let me go with you.”
And the princes of Moab rose and came to Balak, and said, “Balaam refused to come with us.”
And Balak sent yet again princes, more numerous and more honored than these.
And they came to Balaam and said to him, “Thus says Balak the son of Zippor: Please do not be held back from coming to me,
for I will honor you greatly, and all that you say to me I will do. Come, please — curse this people for me.”
And Balaam answered and said to the servants of Balak, “If Balak gave me his house full of silver and gold, I could not cross the mouth of the LORD my God, to do anything small or great.
And now, please stay here tonight, you also, that I may know what more the LORD will speak with me.”
And God came to Balaam at night and said to him, “If the men have come to call you, rise and go with them; but only the word that I speak to you — that you shall do.”
And Balaam rose in the morning and saddled his donkey, and went with the princes of Moab.
The Angel and Balaam’s Donkey
And the anger of God burned because he was going; and the angel of the LORD stationed himself in the way as an adversary against him. Now he was riding on his donkey, and his two young men were with him.
And the donkey saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, with his drawn sword in his hand; and the donkey turned aside from the way and went into the field. And Balaam struck the donkey, to turn her back to the way.
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.
And the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, and pressed herself against the wall, and pressed Balaam’s foot against the wall; and he struck her again.
And the angel of the LORD passed on again, and stood in a narrow place, where there was no way to turn right or left.
And the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, and lay down under Balaam; and Balaam’s anger burned, and he struck the donkey with his staff.
And 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?”
And Balaam said to the donkey, “Because you have made a fool of me. If only there were a sword in my hand — for I would kill you now.”
And the donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your donkey, on which you have ridden all your life until this day? Have I ever been in the habit of doing this to you?” And he said, “No.”
Then the LORD uncovered 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 on his face.
And the angel of the LORD said to him, “Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Look — I have come out as an adversary, because the way is reckless before me.
And the donkey saw me and turned aside before me these three times. If she had not turned aside from me, surely I would now have killed you and let her live.”
And Balaam said to the angel of the LORD, “I have sinned, for I did not know that you were standing to meet me in the way. And now, if it is evil in your eyes, I will turn back.”
And 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.” And Balaam went with the princes of Balak.
And Balak heard that Balaam had come; and he went out to meet him at the city of Moab, which is on the border of the Arnon, at the far edge of the border.
And Balak said to Balaam, “Did I not surely send to you to call you? Why did you not come to me? Am I truly not able to honor you?”
And Balaam said to Balak, “Look — I have come to you. Now, am I at all able to speak anything? The word that God puts in my mouth — that I shall speak.”
And Balaam went with Balak, and they came to Kiriath-huzoth.
And Balak sacrificed cattle and sheep, and sent to Balaam and to the princes who were with him.
And it was in the morning, that Balak took Balaam and brought him up to Bamoth-baal; and he saw from there the edge of the people.