22:1   Then the sons of Israel journeyed, and camped in the plains of Moab beyond the Jordan opposite Jericho.

22:2   Now Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites.

22:3   So Moab felt great fear because of the people, for they had become numerous; and Moab felt dread of the sons of Israel.

22:4  Moab said to the elders of Midian, "Now this horde will lick up all that exist around us, as the ox licks up the grass of the field." And Balak the son of Zippor ruled as king of Moab at that time.

22:5  So he sent messengers to Balaam the son of Beor, at Pethor, which locates near the River, in the land of the sons of his people, to call him, saying, "Behold, a people came out of Egypt; behold, they cover the surface of the land, and they live opposite me.

22:6  " Now, therefore, please come, curse this people for me since they have become too mighty for me; perhaps I may have the capability of defeating them and drive them out of the land. For I know that he whom you bless will receive a blessing, and he whom you curse will receive a curse."

22:7   So the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the fees for divination in their hand; and they came to Balaam and repeated Balak's words to him.

22:8   He said to them, "Spend the night here, and I will bring word back to you as the LORD may speak to me." And the leaders of Moab stayed with Balaam.

22:9   Then God came to Balaam and said, "What men have you brought with you?"

22:10   Balaam said to God, "Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, has sent word to me,

22:11   'Behold, a people came out of Egypt and they cover the surface of the land; now come, curse them for me; perhaps I may have the capability to fight against them and drive them out.'"

22:12  God said to Balaam,"Do not go with them; you shall not curse them, for I have blessed them.

22:13  So Ballam arose in the morning and said to Balak's leaders, Go back to your land, for the Lord has refused to let me go with you.

22:14   The leaders of Moab arose and went to Balak and said, "Balaam refused to come with us."

22:15  Then Balak again sent leaders,

22:16   They came to Balaam and said to him, "Thus says Balak the son of Zippor, 'Let nothing, I beg you, hinder you from coming to me;

22:17   for I will indeed honor you richly, and I will do whatever you say to me. Please come then, curse this people for me.'"

22:18  Balaam replied to the servants of Balak, " Though Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything, either small or great, contrary to the command of the LORD my God.

22:19   "Now please, you also stay here tonight, and I will find out what else the LORD will speak to me."

22:20  God came to Balaam at night and said to him, "If the men have come to call you, rise up and go with them; but only the word which I speak to you shall you do."

22:21   So Balaam arose in the morning, and saddled his donkey and went with the leaders of Moab.

22:22  But God showed anger when he went, and the angel of the LORD took his standin the way as an adversary against him. Now he rode on his donkey and his two servants accompanied him.

22:23   When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way with his drawn sword in his hand, the donkey turned off from the way and went into the field; but Balaam struck the donkey to turn her back into the way.

22:24  Then the angel of the LORD stood in a narrow path of the vineyards,with a wall on this side and a wall on thaty side.

22:25  When the donkey saw the Angel of the LORD, she pressed herself to the walland pressed Balaam's foot against the wall, so he struck her again.

22:26  The angel of the LORD went further, and stood in a narrow place where he could find no way to turn to the right hand or to the left.

22:27  When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she lay down under Balaam; so Balaam became angry and struck the donkey with his stick.

22:28  And the LORD 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?"

22:29   Then Balaam said to the donkey, "Because you have made a mockery of me! If I would have had a sword in my hand, I would have killed you by now."

22:30  The donkey said to Balaam," Do you not know me as your donkey on which you have ridden all your life to this day?Have I ever done this to you before?" And he said,"no."

22:31  Then the LORD opened the eys of Balaam

22:32   The angel of the LORD said to him, "Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out as an adversary, because your way became contrary to me.

22:33   "But the donkey saw me and turned aside from me these three times. If she had not turned aside from me, I would surely have killed you just now, and let her live."

22:34   Balaam said to the angel of the LORD, " I have sinned, for I did not know that you stood in the way against me. Now then, if it displeases you, I will turn back."

22:35   But the angel of the LORD said to Balaam, "Go with the men, but you shall speak only the word which I tell you." So Balaam went along with the leaders of Balak.

22:36   When Balak heard that Balaam came, he went out to meet him at the city of Moab, which locates on the Arnon border, at the extreme end of the border.

22:37   Then Balak said to Balaam, "Did I not urgently send to you to call you? Why did you not come to me? Do you regard me as unable to honor you?"

22:38   So Balaam said to Balak, "Behold, I have come now to you! Can I speak anything at all? The word that God puts in my mouth, that I shall speak."

22:39   And Balaam went with Balak, and they came to Kiriath-huzoth.

22:40   Balak sacrificed oxen and sheep, and sent some to Balaam and the leaders who dwelled with him.

22:41   Then it came about in the morning that Balak took Balaam and brought him up to the high places of Baal, and he saw from there a portion of the people.