Numbers 22

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1. 1The people of Israel traveled on and set up camp on the plains of Moab, across the Jordan River from Jericho.
2. 2Balak son of Zippor saw everything Israel had done to the Amorites.
3. 3Moab was very afraid of the Israelites because there were so many of them, and Moab was distressed because of the children of Israel.
4. 4Moab said to the elders of Midian, "This horde is going to devour everything around us the way an ox devours grass in a field." At that time, Balak son of Zippor was king of Moab.
5. 5Therefore, he sent messengers to Balaam son of Beor at Pethor, which is by the river in the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying, ‘Look, a people has come out of Egypt. Look, they cover the surface of the earth and are staying opposite me.’
6. 6Please come and put a curse on these people for me — they're too powerful for me to fight. Maybe then I'll be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land. I know that whoever you bless is blessed, and whoever you curse is cursed."
7. 7The elders of Moab and the elders of Midian set out, carrying payment for divination. They arrived at Balaam's home and delivered Balak's message.
8. 8Balaam told them, "Stay here tonight, and I'll give you an answer based on what the LORD tells me." So the officials from Moab stayed the night with Balaam.
9. 9God came to Balaam and asked, "Who are these men with you?"
10. 10Balaam answered God, "Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab, sent me this message:
11. 11'A people has come out of Egypt and spread across the whole land. Come and curse them for me. Maybe then I'll be able to fight them and drive them out.'"
12. 12God told Balaam, "Do not go with them. You must not curse these people, because they are blessed."
13. 13Balaam got up the next morning and told Balak's officials, "Go back to your own land. The LORD won't let me go with you."
14. 14So the officials from Moab returned to Balak and reported, "Balaam refused to come with us."
15. 15Balak responded by sending another delegation — more officials, and more distinguished ones than the first group.
16. 16They came to Balaam and said, "This is what Balak son of Zippor says: 'Please, don't let anything stop you from coming to me.
17. 17I'll reward you with great honor and do whatever you ask. Just come and curse these people for me.'"
18. 18Balaam replied to Balak's servants, "Even if Balak gave me his entire palace filled with silver and gold, I couldn't go against the command of the LORD my God in any way, large or small.
19. 19But please, stay here tonight as well, so I can find out if the LORD has anything more to say to me."
20. 20That night God came to Balaam and said, "Since these men have come to summon you, go ahead and go with them. But you must do only what I tell you to do."
21. 21So Balaam got up the next morning, saddled his donkey, and left with the officials from Moab.
22. 22But God's anger burned because Balaam went. The angel of the LORD positioned himself in the road to block Balaam's path. Balaam was riding his donkey, and his 2 servants were with him.
23. 23The donkey saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand. She veered off the road and into a field. Balaam hit the donkey to force her back onto the road.
24. 24Then the angel of the LORD stood in a narrow path between 2 vineyards, with stone walls on both sides.
25. 25When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she pressed against the wall, crushing Balaam's foot against it. So he hit her again.
26. 26The angel of the LORD moved ahead once more and stood in a spot so narrow there was no room to turn right or left.
27. 27When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she simply lay down under Balaam. Furious, Balaam beat her with his staff.
28. 28Then the LORD gave the donkey the ability to speak. She said to Balaam, "What have I done to you that you've hit me 3 times?"
29. 29Balaam snapped at the donkey, "You've made a fool of me! If I had a sword right now, I'd kill you!"
30. 30The donkey replied, "Am I not the same donkey you've ridden your whole life? Have I ever done anything like this before?" "No," he admitted.
31. 31Then the LORD opened Balaam's eyes, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with a drawn sword. Balaam immediately bowed low and fell facedown on the ground.
32. 32The angel of the LORD said to him, "Why have you struck your donkey these three times? I came to oppose you because your path is perverse before me."
33. 33Your donkey saw me and turned away from me all 3 times. If she hadn't turned away, I would have killed you by now — and spared her life."
34. 34Balaam said to the angel of the LORD, "I have sinned. I didn't realize you were standing in the road to stop me. If this journey displeases you, I'll turn back."
35. 35The angel of the LORD told Balaam, "Go with the men, but speak only the words I give you." So Balaam continued on with Balak's officials.
36. 36When Balak heard that Balaam was coming, he went out to meet him at a Moabite city on the border of the Arnon River, at the far edge of his territory.
37. 37Balak said to Balaam, "Didn't I send for you urgently? Why didn't you come the first time? Don't you think I can reward you properly?"
38. 38Balaam answered Balak, "Well, I'm here now. But I have no power to say whatever I want. I can only speak the words God puts in my mouth."
39. 39Balaam went with Balak, and they traveled to Kiriath Huzoth.
40. 40Balak sacrificed cattle and sheep, and sent portions to Balaam and the officials who were with him.
41. 41The next morning, Balak took Balaam up to the high places of Baal, where he could look out and see part of the Israelite camp below.