1And the Israelites travelled to and camped in the plains of Moab, across the Jordan from Jericho.

2And Balak, son of Zippor, saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites. 3And Moab was terrified and distressed, because there were so many Israelites. 4And Moab said to the elders of Midian, “Now shall this horde devour all that are around us, like an ox devours the grass of the field.” And Balak was king of the Moabites at that time. 5Therefore, he sent messengers to Balaam, son of Beor, to Pethor, which is by the Euphrates River in his native land, to say, “Look, a huge horde of people has come from Egypt: and they cover the land, and have settled next to me: 6Please come and curse this people for me; for they are too mighty for me. Then, perhaps, I shall be able to defeat them, and drive them out of the land; for I know that whoever you bless is blessed, and he whoever you curse is cursed.” 7And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian left, taking with them a fee for divination in their hand; and they came, and spoke the words of Balak to Balaam. 8And Balaam replied, “Stay here tonight, and I will return the word that the LORD speaks to me to you.” And the leaders of Moab stayed with Balaam. 9And God came to Balaam, and said, “What men are these with you?” 10And Balaam said to God, “Balak, son of Zippor, king of Moab, has sent them to me, saying, 11‘A huge horde of people has come from Egypt: and they cover the land. Come now, curse them for me; perhaps I shall be able to defeat and drive them out.’” 12And God said to Balaam, “You shall not go with them; you shall not curse the people: for they are blessed.” 13And Balaam rose in the morning, and told the leaders of Balak, “Go back to your land: for the LORD refuses to let me go with you.” 14And the leaders of Moab returned to Balak, and said, “Balaam refused to come with us.”

15And Balak sent even more honorable leaders than before. 16And they came and told Balaam, “Thus says Balak, son of Zippor, ‘Let nothing hinder you from coming to me; 17For I will promote you to very great honor, and I will do whatever you say. So come, and curse this people for me.’” 18And Balaam answered the servants of Balak, “Even if Balak would give me his palace full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the LORD my God, to do less or more. 19Now stay here again tonight, that I may learn what else the LORD will say to me.” 20And God came to Balaam that night, and said, “Since these men have come to summon you, go with them; but only do what I shall tell you.” 21And Balaam arose in the morning, and saddled his donkey, and went with the leaders of Moab.

22And God's anger was kindled when he went: and the Angel of the LORD stood in the way to oppose him. Balaam was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him. 23And the donkey saw the Angel of the LORD standing in the road, with His sword drawn in His hand; and the donkey turned aside out of the road, and went into the field: and Balaam struck the donkey, to turn her back onto the road. 24But the Angel of the LORD stood in a narrow path through vineyards, with a wall on each side. 25And when the donkey saw the Angel of the LORD, she pressed herself against the wall, crushing Balaam's foot against it; and Balaam struck her again. 26And the Angel of the LORD went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right or to the left. 27And when the donkey saw the Angel of the LORD, she lay down under Balaam; and Balaam became angry, and he hit the donkey with a stick. 28And the LORD opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you, that you have hit me these three times?” 29And Balaam said to the donkey, “Because you have mocked me, I wish I had a sword in my hand, then I would kill you.” 30And the donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your donkey, on which you have ridden ever since I was yours up to this day? Was I ever known to do this to you?” And he said, “No.” 31Then the LORD opened 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 his head, and fell flat on his face. 32And the Angel of the LORD said to him, “Why have you hit your donkey these three times? Behold, I went out to oppose you, because your way is perverse before Me; 33And the donkey saw Me, and turned from Me these three times: if she had not turned from Me, I surely would have killed you by now, and let her live.” 34And Balaam said to the Angel of the LORD, “I have sinned; for I did not know that You stood in the road to oppose me. If it displeases You, I will turn back.” 35And the Angel of the LORD said to Balaam, “Go with the men: but speak only the word that I shall tell you.” And so Balaam went with the leaders of Balak.

36And when Balak heard that Balaam was coming, he went out to meet him at the Moabite border on the Arnon, their outermost boundary. 37And Balak said to Balaam, “Did I not send to you an urgent summons? Why did you not come to me? Am I not able to promote you to honor?” 38And Balaam said to Balak, “Look, I have come to you now; but I cannot say whatever I please: I have only the power to say the word that God puts in my mouth.” 39And Balaam went with Balak, and they came to Kiriath-huzoth. 40And Balak offered oxen and sheep sacrifices, and gave some to Balaam, and the leaders that were with him. 41And the next day, Balak took Balaam, and brought him up to Barmoth-baal, a high place from which he could see some of the Israelite people.