CAB(i)
1 And the children of Israel departed, and encamped on the west of Moab by the Jordan toward Jericho.
2 And when Balak son of Zippor saw all that Israel did to the Amorites,
3 then Moab feared the people exceedingly because they were many; and Moab was grieved before the face of the children of Israel.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
9 And God came to Balaam, and said to him, Who are these men with you?
10 And Balaam said to God, Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab, sent them to me, saying,
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.
12 And God said to Balaam, You shall not go with them, neither shall you curse the people, for they are blessed.
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.
14 And the princes of Moab rose, and came to Balak, and said, Balaam will not come with us.
15 And Balak yet again sent more princes, and more honorable than they.
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.
17 For I will greatly honor you, and will do for you whatsoever you shall say; come then, curse this people for me.
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.
19 And now, you also tarry here this night, and I shall know what the Lord will yet say to me.
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.
21 And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his donkey, and went with the princes of Moab.
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.
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.
24 And the Angel of the Lord stood in the avenues of the vines, a fence being on this side and that.
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.