| New American Standard Bible | ►► |
Balak Sends for Balaam
1Then the sons of Israel journeyed on, and camped in the plains of Moab beyond the Jordan opposite Jericho.
2Now Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites.
3So Moab was in great fear because of the people, for they were numerous; and Moab was in dread of the sons of Israel.
4Moab said to the elders of Midian, “Now this [a]horde will eat up all that is around us, as the ox eats up the grass of the field!” And Balak the son of Zippor was king of Moab at that time.
5So he sent messengers to Balaam the son of Beor, at Pethor, which is near the Euphrates River, in the land of the sons of his people, to call for him, saying, “Behold, a people came out of Egypt; behold, they have covered the surface of the land, and they are living opposite me.
6Now, therefore, please come, curse this people for me since they are too [b]mighty for me; perhaps I will be able to [c]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.”
7So the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian left with the fees for divination in their hands; and they came to Balaam and [d]repeated Balak’s words to him.
8And he said to them, “Spend the night here, and I will bring word back to you just as the LORD may speak to me.” And the leaders of Moab stayed with Balaam.
9Then God came to Balaam and said, “Who are these men with you?”
10Balaam said to God, “Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, sent word to me:
11‘Behold, there is a people who came out of Egypt, and they cover the surface of the land; now come, curse them for me; perhaps I will be able to fight against them and drive them out.’”
12But God said to Balaam, “Do not go with them; you shall not curse the people, for they are blessed.”
13So Balaam got up in the morning and said to Balak’s representatives, “Go back to your land, for the LORD has refused to let me go with you.”
14And the representatives from Moab got up and went to Balak, and said, “Balaam refused to come with us.”
15Then Balak sent representatives once again, more numerous and more distinguished than [e]the previous.
16They came to Balaam and said to him, “This is what Balak the son of Zippor says: ‘I beg you, let nothing keep you from coming to me;
17for I will indeed honor you richly, and I will do whatever you tell me. Please come then, curse this people for me.’”
18But Balaam replied to the servants of Balak, “Even if Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything, either small or great