AB - Numbers - 22

22:1  And the children of Israel departed, and encamped on the west of Moab by the Jordan toward Jericho.

22:2  And when Balak son of Zippor saw all that Israel did to the Amorites,

22:3  then Moab feared the people exceedingly because they were many; and Moab was grieved before the face of the children of Israel.

22:4  And Moab said to the elders of Midian, Now shall this assembly lick up all that are round about us, as a calf would lick up the green herbs of the field. And Balak son of Zippor was king of Moab at that time.

22:5  And he sent ambassadors to Balaam the son of Beor, to Pethor, which is on a river of the land of the sons of his people, to call him, saying, Behold, a people have come out of Egypt, and behold, they have covered the face of the earth, and have encamped close to me.

22:6  And now come here, and curse this people for me, for they are stronger than us. Perhaps we may be able to smite some of them, and cast them out of the land; for I know that whomsoever you bless, they are blessed, and whomsoever you curse, they are cursed.

22:7  And the elders of Moab went, and the elders of Midian, and their divining instruments were in their hands; and they came to Balaam, and spoke to him the words of Balak.

22:8  And he said to them, Tarry here the night, and I will answer you the things which the Lord shall say to me. And the princes of Moab stayed with Balaam.

22:9  And God came to Balaam, and said to him, Who are these men with you?

22:10  And Balaam said to God, Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab, sent them to me, saying,

22:11  Behold, a people has come forth out of Egypt, and has covered the face of the land, and they have encamped near to me; and now come, curse them for me, if indeed I shall be able to smite them, and cast them out of the land.

22:12  And God said to Balaam, You shall not go with them, neither shall you curse the people, for they are blessed.

22:13  And Balaam rose up in the morning, and said to the princes of Balak, Depart quickly to your lord; God does not permit me to go with you.

22:14  And the princes of Moab rose, and came to Balak, and said, Balaam will not come with us.

22:15  And Balak yet again sent more princes, and more honorable than they.

22:16  And they came to Balaam, and they said to him, Thus says Balak the son of Zippor: I beseech you, delay not to come to me.

22:17  For I will greatly honor you, and will do for you whatsoever you shall say; come then, curse this people for me.

22:18  And Balaam answered and said to the princes of Balak, If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I shall not be able to go beyond the word of the Lord God, to make it little or great in my mind.

22:19  And now, you also tarry here this night, and I shall know what the Lord will yet say to me.

22:20  And God came to Balaam by night, and said to him, If these men have come to call you, rise and follow them; nevertheless the word which I shall speak to you, this shall you do.

22:21  And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his donkey, and went with the princes of Moab.

22:22  And God was very angry because he went. And the Angel of the Lord rose up to withstand him. Now he had mounted his donkey, and his two servants were with him.

22:23  And when the donkey saw the Angel of the Lord standing opposite in the way, and His sword drawn in His hand, then the donkey turned aside out of the way, and went into the field. And Balaam struck the donkey with his staff to direct her in the way.

22:24  And the Angel of the Lord stood in the avenues of the vines, a fence being on this side and that.

22:25  And when the donkey saw the Angel of the Lord, she thrust herself against the wall, and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall, and he struck her again.

22:26  And the Angel of the Lord went farther, and came and stood in a narrow place where it was impossible to turn to the right or the left.

22:27  And when the donkey saw the Angel of God, she lay down under Balaam. And Balaam was angry, and struck the donkey with his staff.

22:28  And God opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, What have I done to you, that you have struck me this third time?

22:29  And Balaam said to the donkey, Because you have mocked me; and if I had a sword in my hand, I would now have killed you.

22:30  And the donkey said to Balaam, Am not I your donkey on which you have ridden since your youth till this day? Did I ever do thus to you, utterly disregarding you? And he said, No.

22:31  And God opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the Angel of the Lord withstanding him in the way, and His sword drawn in His hand, and he stooped down and worshipped on his face.

22:32  And the Angel of the Lord said to him, Why have you struck your donkey this third time? And behold, I came out to withstand you, for your way is unseemly before Me. And when the donkey saw Me, she turned away from Me this third time.

22:33  And if she had not turned out of the way, surely now, I would have killed you, and would have saved her alive.

22:34  And Balaam said to the Angel of the Lord, I have sinned, for I did not know that You were standing opposite in the way to meet me; and now, if it shall not be pleasing to You for me to go on, I shall return.

22:35  And the Angel of the Lord said to Balaam, Go with the men: nevertheless the word which I shall speak to you, you shall take heed to speak. And Balaam went with the princes of Balak.

22:36  And when Balak heard that Balaam had come, he went out to meet him, to a city of Moab, which is on the borders of the Arnon, which is on the extreme part of the borders.

22:37  And Balak said to Balaam, Did I not send to you to call you? Why have you not come to me? Shall I not indeed be able to honor you?

22:38  And Balaam said to Balak, Behold, I have now come to you: shall I be able to say anything? The word which God shall put into my mouth, that I shall speak.

22:39  And Balaam went with Balak, and they came to the cities of streets.

22:40  And Balak offered sheep and calves, and sent to Balaam and to his princes who were with him.

22:41  And it was morning; and Balak took Balaam, and brought him up to the pillar of Baal, and showed him from there the extent of the people.