¹ And the children of Israel set forward, and pitched in the plains of Moab on this side Jordan by Jericho.

² And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites.

³ And Moab was sore afraid of the people, because they were many: and Moab was distressed because of the children of Israel.

⁴ And Moab said unto the elders of Midian, Now shall this company lick up all that are round about us, as the ox licketh up the grass of the field. And Balak the son of Zippor was king of the Moabites at that time.

⁵ He sent messengers therefore unto Balaam the son of Beor to Pethor, which is by the river of the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying, Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt: behold, they cover the face of the earth, and they abide over against me:

⁶ Come now therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people; for they are too mighty for me: peradventure I shall prevail, that we may smite them, and that I may drive them out of the land: for I wot that he whom thou blessest is blessed, and he whom thou cursest is cursed.

⁷ And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand; and they came unto Balaam, and spake unto him the words of Balak.

⁸ And he said unto them, Lodge here this night, and I will bring you word again, as the LORD shall speak unto me: and the princes of Moab abode with Balaam.

⁹ And God came unto Balaam, and said, What men are these with thee?

¹⁰ And Balaam said unto God, Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, hath sent unto me, saying,

¹¹ Behold, there is a people come out of Egypt, which covereth the face of the earth: come now, curse me them; peradventure I shall be able to overcome them, and drive them out.

¹² And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed.

¹³ And Balaam rose up in the morning, and said unto the princes of Balak, Get you into your land: for the LORD refuseth to give me leave to go with you.

¹⁴ And the princes of Moab rose up, and they went unto Balak, and said, Balaam refuseth to come with us.

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

¹⁶ And they came to Balaam, and said to him, Thus saith Balak the son of Zippor, Let nothing, I pray thee, hinder thee from coming unto me:

¹⁷ For I will promote thee unto very great honor, and I will do whatsoever thou sayest unto me: come therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people.

¹⁸ And Balaam answered and said unto the servants of Balak, If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the LORD my God, to do less or more.

¹⁹ Now therefore, I pray you, tarry ye also here this night, that I may know what the LORD will say unto me more.

²⁰ And God came unto Balaam at night, and said unto him, If the men come to call thee, rise up, and go with them; but yet the word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou do.

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

²² And God's anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the LORD stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him.

²³ And the ass saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way.

²⁴ But the angel of the LORD stood in a path of the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side.

²⁵ And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall: and he smote her again.

²⁶ And the angel of the LORD went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left.

²⁷ And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she fell down under Balaam: and Balaam's anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff.

²⁸ And the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?

²⁹ And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee.

³⁰ And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee? And he said, Nay.

³¹ Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face.

³² And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me:

³³ And the ass saw me, and turned from me these three times: unless she had turned from me, surely now also I had slain thee, and saved her alive.

³⁴ And Balaam said unto the angel of the LORD, I have sinned; for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me: now therefore, if it displease thee, I will get me back again.

³⁵ And the angel of the LORD said unto Balaam, Go with the men: but only the word that I shall speak unto thee, that thou shalt speak. So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.

³⁶ And when Balak heard that Balaam was come, he went out to meet him unto a city of Moab, which is in the border of Arnon, which is in the utmost coast.

³⁷ And Balak said unto Balaam, Did I not earnestly send unto thee to call thee? wherefore camest thou not unto me? am I not able indeed to promote thee to honor?

³⁸ And Balaam said unto Balak, Lo, I am come unto thee: have I now any power at all to say any thing? the word that God putteth in my mouth, that shall I speak.

³⁹ And Balaam went with Balak, and they came unto Kirjathhuzoth.

⁴⁰ And Balak offered oxen and sheep, and sent to Balaam, and to the princes that were with him.

⁴¹ And it came to pass on the morrow, that Balak took Balaam, and brought him up into the high places of Baal, that thence he might see the utmost part of the people.

---

¹ And the children ^H1121 of Israel ^H3478 set forward, ^H5265 and pitched ^H2583 in the plains ^H6160 of Moab ^H4124 on this side ^H5676 Jordan ^H3383 by Jericho. ^H3405

² And Balak ^H1111 the son ^H1121 of Zippor ^H6834 saw ^H7200 all that Israel ^H3478 had done ^H6213 to the Amorites. ^H567

³ And Moab ^H4124 was sore ^H3966 afraid ^H1481 of ^H6440 the people, ^H5971 because they were many: ^H7227 and Moab ^H4124 was distressed ^H6973 because of ^H6440 the children ^H1121 of Israel. ^H3478

⁴ And Moab ^H4124 said ^H559 unto the elders ^H2205 of Midian, ^H4080 Now shall this company ^H6951 lick up ^H3897 all that are round about ^H5439 us, as the ox ^H7794 licketh up ^H3897 the grass ^H3418 of the field. ^H7704 And Balak ^H1111 the son ^H1121 of Zippor ^H6834 was king ^H4428 of the Moabites ^H4124 at that time. ^H6256

⁵ He sent ^H7971 messengers ^H4397 therefore unto Balaam ^H1109 the son ^H1121 of Beor ^H1160 to Pethor, ^H6604 which is by the river ^H5104 of the land ^H776 of the children ^H1121 of his people, ^H5971 to call ^H7121 him, saying, ^H559 Behold, there is a people ^H5971 come out ^H3318 from Egypt: ^H4714 behold, they cover ^H3680 the face ^H5869 of the earth, ^H776 and they abide ^H3427 over against ^H4136 me:

⁶ Come ^H3212 now therefore, I pray thee, curse ^H779 me this people; ^H5971 for they are too mighty ^H6099 for me: peradventure I shall prevail, ^H3201 that we may smite ^H5221 them, and that I may drive them out ^H1644 of the land: ^H776 for I wot ^H3045 that he whom thou blessest ^H1288 is blessed, ^H1288 and he whom thou cursest ^H779 is cursed. ^H779

⁷ And the elders ^H2205 of Moab ^H4124 and the elders ^H2205 of Midian ^H4080 departed ^H3212 with the rewards of divination ^H7081 in their hand; ^H3027 and they came ^H935 unto Balaam, ^H1109 and spake ^H1696 unto him the words ^H1697 of Balak. ^H1111

⁸ And he said ^H559 unto them, Lodge ^H3885 here this night, ^H3915 and I will bring ^H7725 you word ^H1697 again, ^H7725 as the LORD ^H3068 shall speak ^H1696 unto me: and the princes ^H8269 of Moab ^H4124 abode ^H3427 with Balaam. ^H1109

⁹ And God ^H430 came ^H935 unto Balaam, ^H1109 and said, ^H559 What men ^H582 are these with thee?

¹⁰ And Balaam ^H1109 said ^H559 unto God, ^H430 Balak ^H1111 the son ^H1121 of Zippor, ^H6834 king ^H4428 of Moab, ^H4124 hath sent ^H7971 unto me, saying,

¹¹ Behold, there is a people ^H5971 come out ^H3318 of Egypt, ^H4714 which covereth ^H3680 the face ^H5869 of the earth: ^H776 come ^H3212 now, curse ^H6895 me them; peradventure I shall be able ^H3201 to overcome ^H3898 them, and drive them out. ^H1644

¹² And God ^H430 said ^H559 unto Balaam, ^H1109 Thou shalt not go ^H3212 with them; thou shalt not curse ^H779 the people: ^H5971 for they are blessed. ^H1288

¹³ And Balaam ^H1109 rose up ^H6965 in the morning, ^H1242 and said ^H559 unto the princes ^H8269 of Balak, ^H1111 Get ^H3212 you into your land: ^H776 for the LORD ^H3068 refuseth ^H3985 to give me leave ^H5414 to go ^H1980 with you.

¹⁴ And the princes ^H8269 of Moab ^H4124 rose up, ^H6965 and they went ^H935 unto Balak, ^H1111 and said, ^H559 Balaam ^H1109 refuseth ^H3985 to come ^H1980 with us.

¹⁵ And Balak ^H1111 sent ^H7971 yet again ^H3254 princes, ^H8269 more, ^H7227 and more honourable ^H3513 than they.

¹⁶ And they came ^H935 to Balaam, ^H1109 and said ^H559 to him, Thus saith ^H559 Balak ^H1111 the son ^H1121 of Zippor, ^H6834 Let nothing, I pray thee, hinder ^H4513 thee from coming ^H1980 unto me:

¹⁷ For I will promote ^H3513 thee unto very ^H3966 great ^H3513 honour, ^H3513 and I will do ^H6213 whatsoever thou sayest ^H559 unto me: come ^H3212 therefore, I pray thee, curse ^H6895 me this people. ^H5971

¹⁸ And Balaam ^H1109 answered ^H6030 and said ^H559 unto the servants ^H5650 of Balak, ^H1111 If Balak ^H1111 would give ^H5414 me his house ^H1004 full ^H4393 of silver ^H3701 and gold, ^H2091 I cannot ^H3201 go beyond ^H5674 the word ^H6310 of the LORD ^H3068 my God, ^H430 to do ^H6213 less ^H6996 or more. ^H1419

¹⁹ Now therefore, I pray you, tarry ^H3427 ye also here this night, ^H3915 that I may know ^H3045 what the LORD ^H3068 will say ^H1696 unto me more. ^H3254

²⁰ And God ^H430 came ^H935 unto Balaam ^H1109 at night, ^H3915 and said ^H559 unto him, If the men ^H582 come ^H935 to call ^H7121 thee, rise up, ^H6965 and go ^H3212 with them; but yet ^H389 the word ^H1697 which I shall say ^H1696 unto thee, that shalt thou do. ^H6213

²¹ And Balaam ^H1109 rose up ^H6965 in the morning, ^H1242 and saddled ^H2280 his ass, ^H860 and went ^H3212 with the princes ^H8269 of Moab. ^H4124

²² And God's ^H430 anger ^H639 was kindled ^H2734 because he went: ^H1980 and the angel ^H4397 of the LORD ^H3068 stood ^H3320 in the way ^H1870 for an adversary ^H7854 against him. Now he was riding ^H7392 upon his ass, ^H860 and his two ^H8147 servants ^H5288 were with him.

²³ And the ass ^H860 saw ^H7200 the angel ^H4397 of the LORD ^H3068 standing ^H5324 in the way, ^H1870 and his sword ^H2719 drawn ^H8025 in his hand: ^H3027 and the ass ^H860 turned aside ^H5186 out of the way, ^H1870 and went ^H3212 into the field: ^H7704 and Balaam ^H1109 smote ^H5221 the ass, ^H860 to turn ^H5186 her into the way. ^H1870

²⁴ But the angel ^H4397 of the LORD ^H3068 stood ^H5975 in a path ^H4934 of the vineyards, ^H3754 a wall ^H1447 being on this side, and a wall ^H1447 on that side.

²⁵ And when the ass ^H860 saw ^H7200 the angel ^H4397 of the LORD, ^H3068 she thrust ^H3905 herself unto the wall, ^H7023 and crushed ^H3905 Balaam's ^H1109 foot ^H7272 against the wall: ^H7023 and he smote ^H5221 her again. ^H3254

²⁶ And the angel ^H4397 of the LORD ^H3068 went ^H5674 further, ^H3254 and stood ^H5975 in a narrow ^H6862 place, ^H4725 where was no way ^H1870 to turn ^H5186 either to the right hand ^H3225 or to the left. ^H8040

²⁷ And when the ass ^H860 saw ^H7200 the angel ^H4397 of the LORD, ^H3068 she fell down ^H7257 under Balaam: ^H1109 and Balaam's ^H1109 anger ^H639 was kindled, ^H2734 and he smote ^H5221 the ass ^H860 with a staff. ^H4731

²⁸ And the LORD ^H3068 opened ^H6605 the mouth ^H6310 of the ass, ^H860 and she said ^H559 unto Balaam, ^H1109 What have I done ^H6213 unto thee, that thou hast smitten ^H5221 me these three ^H7969 times? ^H7272

²⁹ And Balaam ^H1109 said ^H559 unto the ass, ^H860 Because thou hast mocked ^H5953 me: I would ^H3863 there were ^H3426 a sword ^H2719 in mine hand, ^H3027 for now would I kill ^H2026 thee.

³⁰ And the ass ^H860 said ^H559 unto Balaam, ^H1109 Am not I thine ass, ^H860 upon which thou hast ridden ^H7392 ever since I was thine unto this day? ^H3117 was I ever ^H5532 wont ^H5532 to do so ^H6213 unto thee? And he said, ^H559 Nay.

³¹ Then the LORD ^H3068 opened ^H1540 the eyes ^H5869 of Balaam, ^H1109 and he saw ^H7200 the angel ^H4397 of the LORD ^H3068 standing ^H5324 in the way, ^H1870 and his sword ^H2719 drawn ^H8025 in his hand: ^H3027 and he bowed down ^H6915 his head, and fell flat ^H7812 on his face. ^H639

³² And the angel ^H4397 of the LORD ^H3068 said ^H559 unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten ^H5221 thine ass ^H860 these three ^H7969 times? ^H7272 behold, I went out ^H3318 to withstand ^H7854 thee, because thy way ^H1870 is perverse ^H3399 before me:

³³ And the ass ^H860 saw ^H7200 me, and turned ^H5186 from me ^H6440 these three ^H7969 times: ^H7272 unless ^H194 she had turned ^H5186 from me, ^H6440 surely now also I had slain ^H2026 thee, and saved her alive. ^H2421

³⁴ And Balaam ^H1109 said ^H559 unto the angel ^H4397 of the LORD, ^H3068 I have sinned; ^H2398 for I knew ^H3045 not that thou stoodest ^H5324 in the way ^H1870 against ^H7125 me: now therefore, if it displease thee, ^{H7489 H5869} I will get me back again. ^H7725

³⁵ And the angel ^H4397 of the LORD ^H3068 said ^H559 unto Balaam, ^H1109 Go ^H3212 with the men: ^H582 but only ^H657 the word ^H1697 that I shall speak ^H1696 unto thee, that thou shalt speak. ^H1696 So Balaam ^H1109 went ^H3212 with the princes ^H8269 of Balak. ^H1111

³⁶ And when Balak ^H1111 heard ^H8085 that Balaam ^H1109 was come, ^H935 he went out ^H3318 to meet ^H7125 him unto a city ^H5892 of Moab, ^H4124 which is in the border ^H1366 of Arnon, ^H769 which is in the utmost ^H7097 coast. ^H1366

³⁷ And Balak ^H1111 said ^H559 unto Balaam, ^H1109 Did I not earnestly ^H7971 send ^H7971 unto thee to call ^H7121 thee? wherefore camest ^H1980 thou not unto me? am I not able ^H3201 indeed ^H552 to promote thee to honour? ^H3513

³⁸ And Balaam ^H1109 said ^H559 unto Balak, ^H1111 Lo, I am come ^H935 unto thee: have I now any power ^H3201 at all ^H3201 to say ^H1696 any thing? ^H3972 the word ^H1697 that God ^H430 putteth ^H7760 in my mouth, ^H6310 that shall I speak. ^H1696

³⁹ And Balaam ^H1109 went ^H3212 with Balak, ^H1111 and they came ^H935 unto Kirjathhuzoth. ^{H2351 H7155}

⁴⁰ And Balak ^H1111 offered ^H2076 oxen ^H1241 and sheep, ^H6629 and sent ^H7971 to Balaam, ^H1109 and to the princes ^H8269 that were with him.

⁴¹ And it came to pass on the morrow, ^H1242 that Balak ^H1111 took ^H3947 Balaam, ^H1109 and brought him up ^H5927 into the high places ^H1116 of Baal, ^H1120 that thence he might see ^H7200 the utmost ^H7097 part of the people. ^H5971

---

¹ And the children of Israel journeyed, and encamped in the plains of Moab beyond the Jordan at Jericho.

² And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites.

³ And Moab was sore afraid of the people, because they were many: and Moab was distressed because of the children of Israel.

⁴ And Moab said unto the elders of Midian, Now will this multitude lick up all that is round about us, as the ox licketh up the grass of the field. And Balak the son of Zippor was king of Moab at that time.

⁵ And he sent messengers unto Balaam the son of Beor, to Pethor, which is by the River, to the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying, Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt: behold, they cover the face of the earth, and they abide over against me.

⁶ Come now therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people; for they are too mighty for me: peradventure I shall prevail, that we may smite them, and that I may drive them out of the land; for I know that he whom thou blessest is blessed, and he whom thou cursest is cursed.

⁷ And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand; and they came unto Balaam, and spake unto him the words of Balak.

⁸ And he said unto them, Lodge here this night, and I will bring you word again, as Jehovah shall speak unto me: and the princes of Moab abode with Balaam.

⁹ And God came unto Balaam, and said, What men are these with thee?

¹⁰ And Balaam said unto God, Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, hath sent unto me, `saying',

¹¹ Behold, the people that is come out of Egypt, it covereth the face of the earth: now, come curse me them; peradventure I shall be able to fight against them, and shall drive them out.

¹² And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people; for they are blessed.

¹³ And Balaam rose up in the morning, and said unto the princes of Balak, Get you into your land; for Jehovah refuseth to give me leave to go with you.

¹⁴ And the princes of Moab rose up, and they went unto Balak, and said, Balaam refuseth to come with us.

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

¹⁶ And they came to Balaam, and said to him, Thus saith Balak the son of Zippor, Let nothing, I pray thee, hinder thee from coming unto me:

¹⁷ for I will promote thee unto very great honor, and whatsoever thou sayest unto me I will do: come therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people.

¹⁸ And Balaam answered and said unto the servants of Balak, If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of Jehovah my God, to do less or more.

¹⁹ Now therefore, I pray you, tarry ye also here this night, that I may know what Jehovah will speak unto me more.

²⁰ And God came unto Balaam at night, and said unto him, If the men are come to call thee, rise up, go with them; but only the word which I speak unto thee, that shalt thou do.

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

²² And God's anger was kindled because he went; and the angel of Jehovah placed himself in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him.

²³ And the ass saw the angel of Jehovah standing in the way, with his sword drawn in his hand; and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way.

²⁴ Then the angel of Jehovah stood in a narrow path between the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side.

²⁵ And the ass saw the angel of Jehovah, and she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall: and he smote her again.

²⁶ And the angel of Jehovah went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left.

²⁷ And the ass saw the angel of Jehovah, and she lay down under Balaam: and Balaam's anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with his staff.

²⁸ And Jehovah opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?

²⁹ And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me, I would there were a sword in my hand, for now I had killed thee.

³⁰ And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden all thy life long unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee? and he said, Nay.

³¹ Then Jehovah opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of Jehovah standing in the way, with his sword drawn in his hand; and he bowed his head, and fell on his face.

³² And the angel of Jehovah said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I am come forth for an adversary, because thy way is perverse before me:

³³ and the ass saw me, and turned aside before me these three times: unless she had turned aside from me, surely now I had even slain thee, and saved her alive.

³⁴ And Balaam said unto the angel of Jehovah, I have sinned; for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me: now therefore, if it displease thee, I will get me back again.

³⁵ And the angel of Jehovah said unto Balaam, Go with the men; but only the word that I shall speak unto thee, that thou shalt speak. So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.

³⁶ And when Balak heard that Balaam was come, he went out to meet him unto the City of Moab, which is on the border of the Arnon, which is in the utmost part of the border.

³⁷ And Balak said unto Balaam, Did I not earnestly send unto thee to call thee? wherefore camest thou not unto me? am I not able indeed to promote thee to honor?

³⁸ And Balaam said unto Balak, Lo, I am come unto thee: have I now any power at all to speak anything? the word that God putteth in my mouth, that shall I speak.

³⁹ And Balaam went with Balak, and they came unto Kiriath-huzoth.

⁴⁰ And Balak sacrificed oxen and sheep, and sent to Balaam, and to the princes that were with him.

⁴¹ And it came to pass in the morning, that Balak took Balaam, and brought him up into the high places of Baal; and he saw from thence the utmost part of the people.

---

¹ And the sons of Israel journey and encamp in the plains of Moab, beyond the Jordan, `by' Jericho.

² And Balak son of Zippor seeth all that Israel hath done to the Amorite,

³ and Moab is exceedingly afraid of the presence of the people, for it `is' numerous; and Moab is vexed by the presence of the sons of Israel,

⁴ and Moab saith unto the elders of Midian, `Now doth the assembly lick up all that is round about us, as the ox licketh up the green thing of the field.' And Balak son of Zippor `is' king of Moab at that time,

⁵ and he sendeth messengers unto Balaam son of Beor, to Pethor, which `is' by the River of the land of the sons of his people, to call for him, saying, `Lo, a people hath come out of Egypt; lo, it hath covered the eye of the land, and it is abiding over-against me;

⁶ and now, come, I pray thee, curse for me this people, for it `is' mightier than I; it may be I prevail -- we smite it -- and I cast it out from the land; for I have known -- that which thou blessest is blessed, and that which thou cursest is cursed.'

⁷ And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian go, and divinations in their hand, and they come in unto Balaam, and speak unto him the words of Balak,

⁸ and he saith unto them, `Lodge here to-night, and I have brought you back word, as Jehovah speaketh unto me;' and the princes of Moab abide with Balaam.

⁹ And God cometh in unto Balaam, and saith, `Who `are' these men with thee?'

¹⁰ And Balaam saith unto God, `Balak, son of Zippor, king of Moab, hath sent unto me:

¹¹ Lo, the people that is coming out from Egypt and covereth the eye of the land, -- now come, pierce it for me; it may be I am able to fight against it, and have cast it out;'

¹² and God saith unto Balaam, `Thou dost not go with them; thou dost not curse the people; for it `is' blessed.'

¹³ And Balaam riseth in the morning, and saith unto the princes of Balak, `Go unto your land, for Jehovah is refusing to suffer me to go with you;'

¹⁴ and the princes of Moab rise, and come in unto Balak, and say, `Balaam is refusing to come with us.'

¹⁵ And Balak addeth yet to send princes, more numerous and honoured than these,

¹⁶ and they come in unto Balaam, and say to him, `Thus said Balak son of Zippor, Be not, I pray thee, withheld from coming unto me,

¹⁷ for very greatly I honour thee, and all that thou sayest unto me I do; and come, I pray thee, pierce for me this people.'

¹⁸ And Balaam answereth and saith unto the servants of Balak, `If Balak doth give to me the fulness of his house of silver and gold, I am not able to pass over the command of Jehovah my God, to do a little or a great thing;

¹⁹ and, now, abide, I pray you, in this `place', you also, to-night; and I know what Jehovah is adding to speak with me.'

²⁰ And God cometh in unto Balaam, by night, and saith to him, `If to call for thee the men have come, rise, go with them, and only the thing which I speak unto thee -- it thou dost do.'

²¹ And Balaam riseth in the morning, and saddleth his ass, and goeth with the princes of Moab,

²² and the anger of God burneth because he is going, and a messenger of Jehovah stationeth himself in the way for an adversary to him, and he is riding on his ass, and two of his servants `are' with him,

²³ and the ass seeth the messenger of Jehovah standing in the way, and his drawn sword in his hand, and the ass turneth aside out of the way, and goeth into a field, and Balaam smiteth the ass to turn it aside into the way.

²⁴ And the messenger of Jehovah standeth in a narrow path of the vineyards -- a wall on this `side' and a wall on that --

²⁵ and the ass seeth the messenger of Jehovah, and is pressed unto the wall, and presseth Balaam's foot unto the wall, and he addeth to smite her;

²⁶ and the messenger of Jehovah addeth to pass over, and standeth in a strait place where there is no way to turn aside -- right or left --

²⁷ and the ass seeth the messenger of Jehovah, and croucheth under Balaam, and the anger of Balaam burneth, and he smiteth the ass with a staff.

²⁸ And Jehovah openeth the mouth of the ass, and she saith to Balaam, `What have I done to thee that thou hast smitten me these three times?'

²⁹ and Balaam saith to the ass, `Because thou hast rolled thyself against me; oh that there were a sword in my hand, for now I had slain thee;'

³⁰ and the ass saith unto Balaam, `Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden since `I was' thine unto this day? have I at all been accustomed to do to thee thus?' and he saith, `No.'

³¹ And Jehovah uncovereth the eyes of Balaam, and he seeeth the messenger of Jehovah standing in the way, and his drawn sword in his hand, and he boweth and doth obeisance, to his face;

³² and the messenger of Jehovah saith unto him, `Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? lo, I -- I have come out for an adversary, for `thy' way hath been perverse before me,

³³ and the ass seeth me, and turneth aside at my presence these three times; unless she had turned aside from my presence, surely now also, thee I had slain, and her kept alive.'

³⁴ And Balaam saith unto the messenger of Jehovah, `I have sinned, for I did not know that thou `art' standing to meet me in the way; and now, if evil in thine eyes -- I turn back by myself.'

³⁵ And the messenger of Jehovah saith unto Balaam, `Go with the men; and only the word which I speak unto thee -- it thou dost speak;' and Balaam goeth with the princes of Balak.

³⁶ And Balak heareth that Balaam hath come, and goeth out to meet him, unto a city of Moab, which `is' on the border of Arnon, which `is' in the extremity of the border;

³⁷ and Balak saith unto Balaam, `Did I not diligently sent unto thee to call for thee? why didst thou not come unto me? am I not truly able to honour thee?'

³⁸ And Balaam saith unto Balak, `Lo, I have come unto thee; now -- am I at all able to speak anything? the word which God setteth in my mouth -- it I do speak.'

³⁹ And Balaam goeth with Balak, and they come to Kirjath-Huzoth,

⁴⁰ and Balak sacrificeth oxen and sheep, and sendeth to Balaam, and to the princes who `are' with him;

⁴¹ and it cometh to pass in the morning, that Balak taketh Balaam, and causeth him to go up the high places of Baal, and he seeth from thence the extremity of the people.

---

¹ And the children of Israel journeyed, and encamped in the plains of Moab on the other side of the Jordan from Jericho.

² And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites.

³ And Moab was much afraid of the people, because they were many; and Moab was distressed because of the children of Israel.

⁴ And Moab said to the elders of Midian, Now will this company lick up all that is round about us, as an ox licks up the green herb of the field. Now Balak the son of Zippor was king of Moab at that time.

⁵ And he sent messengers to Balaam the son of Beor, to Pethor, which is on the river in the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying, Behold, a people is come out from Egypt; behold, they cover the face of the land, and they abide over against me.

⁶ And now come, I pray thee, curse me this people; for they are mightier than I: perhaps I may be able to smite them, and drive them out of the land; for I know that he whom thou blessest is blessed, and he whom thou cursest is cursed.

⁷ And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed, having the rewards of divination in their hand. And they came to Balaam, and spoke to him the words of Balak.

⁸ And he said to them, Lodge here this night, and I will bring you word again, according as Jehovah shall speak unto me. And the princes of Moab abode with Balaam.

⁹ And God came to Balaam, and said, Who are these men with thee?

¹⁰ And Balaam said to God, Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, hath sent unto me,

¹¹ Behold, a people is come out of Egypt, and it covers the face of the land. Now come, curse me them: perhaps I may be able to fight against them, and drive them out.

¹² And God said to Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people; for they are blessed.

¹³ And Balaam rose up in the morning, and said to the princes of Balak, Go into your land; for Jehovah refuses to give me leave to go with you.

¹⁴ And the princes of Moab rose up; and they went to Balak, and said, Balaam has refused to come with us.

¹⁵ Then sent Balak yet again princes, more, and more honourable than they.

¹⁶ And they came to Balaam, and said to him, Thus says Balak the son of Zippor: Suffer not thyself, I pray thee, to be restrained from coming to me;

¹⁷ for very highly will I honour thee, and whatever thou shalt say to me will I do; come therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people.

¹⁸ And Balaam answered and said to the servants of Balak, If Balak give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the commandment of Jehovah my God, to do less or more.

¹⁹ And now, I pray you, abide ye also here this night, and I shall know what Jehovah will say to me further.

²⁰ Then God came to Balaam at night, and said to him, If the men have come to call thee, rise up, [and] go with them; but only what I shall say unto thee shalt thou do.

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

²² And God's anger was kindled because he went; and the Angel of Jehovah set himself in the way to withstand him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two young men were with him.

²³ And the ass saw the Angel of Jehovah standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand; and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field, and Balaam smote the ass to turn her into the way.

²⁴ And the Angel of Jehovah stood in a hollow of the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side.

²⁵ And the ass saw the Angel of Jehovah, and she pressed herself against the wall, and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall; and he smote her again.

²⁶ Then the Angel of Jehovah went still further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left.

²⁷ And the ass saw the Angel of Jehovah, and lay down under Balaam; and Balaam's anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with his staff.

²⁸ And Jehovah opened the mouth of the ass, and she said to Balaam, What have I done to thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?

²⁹ And Balaam said to the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in my hand, for now would I kill thee!

³⁰ And the ass said to Balaam, Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine to this day? was I ever wont to do so to thee? And he said, No.

³¹ Then Jehovah opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the Angel of Jehovah standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand; and he bowed and prostrated himself on his face.

³² And the Angel of Jehovah said to him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, it was I who came forth to withstand thee, for the way [thou walkest in] is for ruin before me.

³³ And the ass saw me, and turned from me these three times; had she not turned from me, I had now certainly slain thee, and saved her alive.

³⁴ And Balaam said to the Angel of Jehovah, I have sinned; for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me; and now, if it be evil in thine eyes, I will get me back again.

³⁵ And the Angel of Jehovah said to Balaam, Go with the men, but only the word that I shall speak unto thee, that shalt thou speak. And Balaam went with the princes of Balak.

³⁶ And when Balak heard that Balaam came, he went out to meet him, to the city of Moab, which is on the border of the Arnon, which is at the extremity of the border.

³⁷ And Balak said to Balaam, Did I not earnestly send to thee to call thee? why didst thou not come to me? am I not surely able to honour thee?

³⁸ And Balaam said to Balak, Lo, I am come to thee; but shall I now be able at all to say anything? the word that God puts in my mouth, that shall I speak.

³⁹ And Balaam went with Balak, and they came to Kirjath-huzoth.

⁴⁰ And Balak offered oxen and small cattle, and sent to Balaam and to the princes that were with him.

⁴¹ And it came to pass on the morrow, that Balak took Balaam, and brought him up to the high places of Baal, and he saw from thence the extremity of the people.

---

¹ The children of Israel traveled, and encamped in the plains of Moab beyond the Jordan at Jericho.

² Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites.

³ Moab was sore afraid of the people, because they were many: and Moab was distressed because of the children of Israel.

⁴ Moab said to the elders of Midian, Now will this multitude lick up all that is round about us, as the ox licks up the grass of the field. Balak the son of Zippor was king of Moab at that time.

⁵ He sent messengers to Balaam the son of Beor, to Pethor, which is by the River, to the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying, Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt: behold, they cover the surface of the earth, and they abide over against me.

⁶ Please come now therefore curse me this people; for they are too mighty for me: peradventure I shall prevail, that we may strike them, and that I may drive them out of the land; for I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed.

⁷ The elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand; and they came to Balaam, and spoke to him the words of Balak.

⁸ He said to them, Lodge here this night, and I will bring you word again, as Yahweh shall speak to me: and the princes of Moab abode with Balaam.

⁹ God came to Balaam, and said, What men are these with you?

¹⁰ Balaam said to God, Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, has sent to me, [saying],

¹¹ Behold, the people that is come out of Egypt, it covers the surface of the earth: now, come curse me them; peradventure I shall be able to fight against them, and shall drive them out.

¹² God said to Balaam, You shall not go with them; you shall not curse the people; for they are blessed.

¹³ Balaam rose up in the morning, and said to the princes of Balak, Get you into your land; for Yahweh refuses to give me leave to go with you.

¹⁴ The princes of Moab rose up, and they went to Balak, and said, Balaam refuses to come with us.

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

¹⁶ They came to Balaam, and said to him, Thus says Balak the son of Zippor, Please let nothing hinder you from coming to me:

¹⁷ for I will promote you to very great honor, and whatever you say to me I will do. Please come therefore, and curse this people for me.

¹⁸ Balaam answered the servants of Balak, If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I can't go beyond the word of Yahweh my God, to do less or more.

¹⁹ Now therefore, please wait also here this night, that I may know what Yahweh will speak to me more.

²⁰ God came to Balaam at night, and said to him, If the men are come to call you, rise up, go with them; but only the word which I speak to you, that shall you do.

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

²² God's anger was kindled because he went; and the angel of Yahweh placed himself in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him.

²³ The donkey saw the angel of Yahweh standing in the way, with his sword drawn in his hand; and the donkey turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam struck the donkey, to turn her into the way.

²⁴ Then the angel of Yahweh stood in a narrow path between the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side.

²⁵ The donkey saw the angel of Yahweh, and she thrust herself to the wall, and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall: and he struck her again.

²⁶ The angel of Yahweh went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left.

²⁷ The donkey saw the angel of Yahweh, and she lay down under Balaam: and Balaam's anger was kindled, and he struck the donkey with his staff.

²⁸ Yahweh opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?

²⁹ Balaam said to the donkey, Because you have mocked me, I would there were a sword in my hand, for now I had killed you.

³⁰ The donkey said to Balaam, Am I not your donkey, on which you have ridden all your life long to this day? was I ever wont to do so to you? and he said, No.

³¹ Then Yahweh opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of Yahweh standing in the way, with his sword drawn in his hand; and he bowed his head, and fell on his face.

³² The angel of Yahweh said to him, Why have you struck your donkey these three times? behold, I am come forth for an adversary, because your way is perverse before me:

³³ and the donkey saw me, and turned aside before me these three times: unless she had turned aside from me, surely now I had even slain you, and saved her alive.

³⁴ Balaam said to the angel of Yahweh, I have sinned; for I didn't know that you stood in the way against me: now therefore, if it displease you, I will get me back again.

³⁵ The angel of Yahweh said to Balaam, Go with the men; but only the word that I shall speak to you, that you shall speak. So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.

³⁶ When Balak heard that Balaam was come, he went out to meet him to the City of Moab, which is on the border of the Arnon, which is in the utmost part of the border.

³⁷ Balak said to Balaam, Didn't I earnestly send to you to call you? why didn't you come to me? am I not able indeed to promote you to honor?

³⁸ Balaam said to Balak, Behold, I have come to you: have I now any power at all to speak anything? the word that God puts in my mouth, that shall I speak.

³⁹ Balaam went with Balak, and they came to Kiriath Huzoth.

⁴⁰ Balak sacrificed oxen and sheep, and sent to Balaam, and to the princes who were with him.

⁴¹ It happened in the morning, that Balak took Balaam, and brought him up into the high places of Baal; and he saw from there the utmost part of the people.

---

¹ Then the children of Israel, journeying on, put up their tents in the lowlands of Moab, on the other side of Jordan at Jericho.

² Now Balak, the son of Zippor, saw what Israel had done to the Amorites.

³ And in Moab there was great fear of the people, because their numbers were so great: and the feeling of Moab was bitter against the children of Israel.

⁴ Then Moab said to the responsible men of Midian, It is clear that this great people will be the destruction of everything round us, making a meal of us as the ox does of the grass of the field. At that time Balak, the son of Zippor, was king of Moab.

⁵ So he sent men to Balaam, son of Beor, at Pethor by the River in the land of the children of his people, saying to him, See, a people has come out of Egypt, covering all the face of the earth, and they have put up their tents opposite to me:

⁶ Come now, in answer to my prayer, and put a curse on this people, for they are greater than I: and then I may be strong enough to overcome them and send them out of the land: for it is clear that good comes to him who has your blessing, but he on whom you put your curse is cursed.

⁷ So the responsible men of Moab and Midian went away, taking in their hands rewards for the prophet; and they came to Balaam and said to him what Balak had given them orders to say.

⁸ And he said to them, Take your rest here tonight, and I will give you an answer after hearing what the Lord says; so the chiefs of Moab kept there with Balaam that night.

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

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

¹¹ See, the people who have come out of Egypt are covering all the earth: now, put a curse on this people for me, so that I may be able to make war on them, driving them out of the land.

¹² And God said to Balaam, You are not to go with them, or put a curse on this people, for they have my blessing.

¹³ In the morning Balaam got up and said to the chiefs of Balak, Go back to your land, for the Lord will not let me go with you.

¹⁴ So the chiefs of Moab went back to Balak and said, Balaam will not come with us.

¹⁵ So Balak sent more chiefs, greater in number and of higher position than the others.

¹⁶ And they came to Balaam and said, Balak, son of Zippor, says, Let nothing keep you from coming to me:

¹⁷ For I will give you a place of very great honour, and whatever you say to me I will do; so come, in answer to my prayer, and put a curse on this people.

¹⁸ But Balaam, in answer; said to the servants of Balak, Even if Balak gave me his house full of silver and gold, it would not be possible for me to do anything more or less than the orders of the Lord my God.

¹⁹ So take your rest here this night, till I have knowledge what more the Lord has to say to me.

²⁰ And that night God came to Balaam and said to him, If these men have come for you, go with them: but do only what I say to you.

²¹ So in the morning Balaam got up and, making his ass ready, went with the chiefs of Moab.

²² But God was moved to wrath because he went: and the angel of the Lord took up a position in the road to keep him from his purpose. Now he was seated on his ass, and his two servants were with him.

²³ And the ass saw the angel of the Lord waiting in the road with his sword in his hand; and turning from the road, the ass went into the field; and Balaam gave the ass blows, to get her back on to the road.

²⁴ Then the angel of the Lord took up his position in a narrow road through the vine-gardens, with a wall on this side and on that.

²⁵ And the ass saw the angel of the Lord, and went near the wall, crushing Balaam's foot against the wall; and he gave her more blows.

²⁶ Then the angel of the Lord went further, stopping in a narrow place where there was no room for turning to the right or to the left.

²⁷ And the ass saw the angel of the Lord and went down on the earth under Balaam; and full of wrath, Balaam gave her hard blows with his stick.

²⁸ Then the Lord gave the ass the power of talking, and opening her mouth she said to Balaam, What have I done to you that you have given me blows these three times?

²⁹ And Balaam said to the ass, You have made me seem foolish: if only I had a sword in my hand I would put you to death.

³⁰ And the ass said to Balaam, Am I not your ass upon which you have gone all your life till this day? and have I ever done this to you before? And he said, No.

³¹ Then the Lord made Balaam's eyes open, and he saw the angel of the Lord in the way with his sword in his hand: and he went down on his face to the earth.

³² And the angel of the Lord said to him, Why have you given your ass blows these three times? See, I have come out against you to keep you back, because your purpose is not pleasing to me.

³³ And the ass saw me, turning to one side from me three times: if she had not gone to one side, I would certainly have put you to death and kept her safe.

³⁴ And Balaam said to the angel of the Lord, I have done wrong, for I did not see that you were in the way against me: but now, if it is evil in your eyes, I will go back again.

³⁵ And the angel of the Lord said to Balaam, Go with the men; but say only what I give you to say. Then Balaam went on with the chiefs of Balak.

³⁶ Now Balak, hearing that Balaam had come, went to the chief town of Moab, on the edge of the Arnon, in the farthest part of the land, for the purpose of meeting him.

³⁷ And Balak said to Balaam, Did I not send to you, requesting you with all my heart to come to me? why did you not come? am I not able to give you a place of honour?

³⁸ Then Balaam said to Balak, Now I have come to you; but have I power to say anything? Only what God puts into my mouth may I say.

³⁹ And Balaam went with Balak to Kiriath-huzoth.

⁴⁰ And Balak made offerings of oxen and sheep, and sent to Balaam and the chiefs who were with him.

⁴¹ And in the morning Balak took Balaam up to the high places of Baal, and from there he was able to see the outer limits of the people.