Numbers 22
Smith's Literal Translation Par ▾ 

Balak Summons Balaam

1And the sons of Israel will remove and will encamp in the deserts of Moab, from the other side of Jordan at Jericho.

2And Balak, son of Zippor, will see all that Israel did to the Amorite. 3And Moab will be afraid from before the people greatly, for they were many; and Moab will feel disgust from the face of the sons of Israel. 4And Moab will say to the old men of Midian, Now this gathering will lick up all round about us, as the ox licking up the green of the field. And Balak, son of Zippor, the king of Moab in that time. 5And he will send messengers to Balaam, son of Beor, to Pethor, which is by the river of the land of the sons of his people, to call to him, saying, Behold, a people came forth out of Egypt: behold, it covered the eye of the earth, and it dwelt from before me. 6And now, come now, curse to me this people, for he is strong above me: perhaps I shall be able to strike upon him, and drive him out of the land, for I know whom thou shalt praise is praised, and whom thou shalt curse, shall be cursed.

7And the old men of Moab and the old men of Midian, will go, and divinations in their hand; and they will come to Balsam, and they will speak to him the words of Balak. 8And he will say to them, Remain here this night, and I will turn back word to you according as Jehovah will speak to me: and the leaders of Moab will dwell with Balaam. 9And God will come to Balaam, and will say, What men these with thee? 10And Balaam will say to God, Balak, son of Zippor, king of Moab, sent to me, 11Behold, the people came forth out of Egypt, and it will cover the eye of the earth: now come curse him to me; perhaps I shall be able to fight against him and I drove him out. 12And God will say to Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for he is praised. 13And Balaam will rise in the morning and will say to the leaders of Balak, Go to your land: for Jehovah refused to give me to go with you. 14And the leaders will rise and go to Balak, and say, Balaam refused to come with us,

15And Balak will add yet to send leaders, many and honorable, more than these. 16And they will go to Balaam, and say to him, Thus said Balak, son of Zippor, Now thou wilt not withhold from coming to me: 17For honoring, I will honor thee greatly, and all which thou shalt say to me I will do; and come, now, curse to me this people. 18And Balaam will answer, and say to the servants of Balak, If Balak will give to me his house full of silver and gold, I shall not be able to pass over the mouth of Jehovah my God to do little or great. 19And now, sit ye down, now also in here this night, and I shall know what Jehovah will add to speak with me. 20And God will come to Balaam at night, and say to him, If the men have come to call to thee, rise up, go with them, and only the word which I shall speak to thee, thou shalt do it.

21And Balaam will rise up in the morning, and saddle his ass, and go with the leaders of Moab.

The Angel and Balaam’s Donkey

22And the anger of God will kindle because he went; and the messenger of Jehovah will stand in the way, for an adversary to him: and he rode upon his ass, and his two young men with him. 23And the ass will see the messenger of Jehovah standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and the ass will turn from the way and go into the field: and Balaam will strike the ass to turn her in the way. 24And the messenger of Jehovah will stand in the hollow of the vineyards, an enclosure hence, and an enclosure thence. 25And the ass will see the messenger of Jehovah and she will press to the wall, and she will press Balaam's foot to the wall; and he will add to strike her, 26And the messenger of Jehovah will add to pass by and stand in a narrow place where is no way to turn to the right, and to the left. 27And the ass will see the messenger of Jehovah and she will lie down under Balaam: and Balaam's anger will kindle, and he will strike the ass With a rod. 28And Jehovah will open the mouth of the ass, and she will say to Balaam, What did I to thee that thou hast smitten me this three beats? 29And Balaam will say to the ass, Because thou didst vex me: would that a sword was in my hand, for now I had killed thee. 30And the ass will say to Balaam, Am not I thine ass which thou didst ride upon me ever since thou wert till this day? and being accustomed, was I accustomed to do to thee thus? And he will say, No.

31And Jehovah will uncover the the eyes of Balsam, and he will see the messenger of Jehovah standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand; and he will bow down and worship upon his face. 32And the messenger of Jehovah will say to him, For what didst thou strike thine ass this three beats? behold, I came forth for an adversary, for the way is perverse before me. 33And the ass will see me, and will turn before me this three beats: unless she turned from before me for now also I had slain thee, and preserved her alive. 34And Balaam will say to the messenger of Jehovah, I sinned; for I knew not that thou stoodest to meet me in the way; and now if evil in thine eyes, I will turn back to me. 35And the messenger of Jehovah will say to Balaam, Go with the men: and only the word which I shall speak to thee thou shalt speak it: and Balaam will go with the leaders of Balak.

36And Balak will hear that Balsam came, and he will go forth to meet him to a city of Moab, which is by the boundary of Arnon, which is in the end of the boundary. 37And Balak will say to Balaam, Sending, did I not send to thee to call to thee? wherefore camest thou not to me? indeed shall I not be able to honor thee? 38And Balaam will say to Balak, Behold, I come to thee: being able, shall I be able to speak any thing? the word which Jehovah shall put in my mouth I will speak it. 39And Balaam will go with Balak and they will come to Kirjath Huzoth. 40And Balak will sacrifice oxen and sheep, and he will send to Balaam and to the leaders which were with him.

41And it will be in the morning, and Balak will take Balaam, and will bring him up to the heights of Baal, and he will see from thence the end of the people.


The Holy Bible Containing the Old and New Testaments; Translated Literally From The Original Tongues by Julia E. Smith

Section Headings Courtesy Berean Bible

Numbers 21
Top of Page
Top of Page