11Then the sons of Israeljourneyed, and camped in the plains of Moabbeyond* the Jordan opposite Jericho.
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Now 2Balak the son of Zipporsawall that Israel had done to the Amorites.
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3So Moab was in greatfearbecause* of the people, for they were numerous; and Moab was in dread of the sons of Israel.
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Moabsaid to the elders of 4Midian, "Now this horde will lick up all that is around us, as the oxlicks up the grass of the field." And Balak the son of Zippor was king of Moab at that time.
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So he sentmessengers to 5Balaam the son of Beor, at 6Pethor, which is near the River, in the land of the sons of his people, to call him, saying, "Behold, a peoplecame out of Egypt; behold, they cover the surface of the land, and they are livingopposite* me.
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"7Now, therefore, pleasecome, 8cursethispeople for me since they are toomighty for me; perhaps I may be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land. For I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed."
7
So the elders of Moab and the elders of Midiandeparted with the fees for 9divination in their hand; and they came to Balaam and repeatedBalak'swords to him.
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He said to them, "Spend the nighthere, and I will bringwordback to you as the LORD may speak to me." And the leaders of Moabstayed with Balaam.
9
Then 10Godcame to Balaam and said, "Who are thesemen with you?"
10
Balaamsaid to God, "Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, has sent word to me,
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'Behold, there is a people who came out of Egypt and they cover the surface of the land; nowcome, curse them for me; perhaps I may be able to fight against them and drive them out.' "
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Godsaid to Balaam, "Do not go with them; 11you shall not curse the people, for they 12are blessed."
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So Balaamarose in the morning and said to Balak'sleaders, "Goback to your land, for the LORD has refused to let me go with you."
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The leaders of Moabarose and went to Balak and said, "Balaamrefused to come with us."
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Then Balakagain*sentleaders, morenumerous and moredistinguishedthan the former.
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They came to Balaam and said to him, "ThussaysBalak the son of Zippor, 'Let nothing, I beg you, hinder you from coming to me;
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for I will indeedhonor you richly, and I will dowhatever* you say to me. 13Pleasecome then, cursethispeople for me.' "
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Balaamreplied to the servants of Balak, "14ThoughBalak were to give me his housefull of silver and gold, I could not do anything, either smallorgreat, contrary to the command of the LORD my God.
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"Nowplease, you alsostayheretonight, and I will find out whatelse the LORD will speak to me."
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Godcame to Balaam at night and said to him, "If the men have come to call you, rise up and go with them; but 15only the wordwhich I speak to you shall you do."
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16So Balaamarose in the morning, and saddled his donkey and went with the leaders of Moab.
The Angel and Balaam
22 But God was angry*because he was going, 17and the angel of the LORDtook his stand in the way as an adversary against him. Now he was riding on his donkey and his twoservants were with him.
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When the donkeysaw the angel of the LORDstanding in the way with his drawnsword in his hand, the donkeyturned off from the way and went into the field; but Balaamstruck the donkey to turn her back into the way.
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Then the angel of the LORDstood in a narrowpath of the vineyards, with a wall on thisside and a wall on that side.
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When the donkeysaw the angel of the LORD, she pressed herself to the wall and pressedBalaam'sfootagainst the wall, so he struck her again.
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The angel of the LORDwentfurther, and stood in a narrowplacewherethere was noway to turn to the righthand or the left.
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When the donkeysaw the angel of the LORD, she laydownunderBalaam; so 18Balaam was angry* and struck the donkey with his stick.
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And 19the LORDopened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, "What have I done to you, that you have struck me thesethreetimes?"
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Then Balaamsaid to the donkey, "Because you have made a mockery of me! Iftherehadbeen a sword in my hand, 20I would have killed you by now."
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The donkeysaid to Balaam, "Am I not your donkey on which you have riddenall* your life to thisday? Have I ever been accustomed to doso to you?" And he said, "No."
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Then the LORDopened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw21the angel of the LORDstanding in the way with his drawnsword in his hand; and he bowed all the way to the ground.
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The angel of the LORDsaid to him, "Why* have you struck your donkeythesethreetimes? Behold, I have come out as an adversary, because your way was 22contrary to me.
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"But the donkeysaw me and turnedaside from me thesethreetimes. If she had not turnedaside from me, I would surely have killed you just now, and let her live."
34
Balaamsaid to the angel of the LORD, "23I have sinned, for I did not know that you were standing in the wayagainst me. Now then, if it is displeasing to you, I will turnback."
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But the angel of the LORDsaid to Balaam, "Go with the men, but 24you shall speakonly the wordwhich I tell you." So Balaamwent along with the leaders of Balak.
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When Balakheard that Balaam was coming, he went out to meet him at the city of Moab, which is on the Arnonborder, at the extremeend of the border.
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Then Balaksaid to Balaam, "Did I not urgentlysend to you to call you? Why did you not come to me? Am I reallyunable* to honor you?"
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So Balaamsaid to Balak, "Behold, I have comenow to you! 25Am I able to speakanything at all? The word that Godputs in my mouth, that I shall speak."
39
And Balaamwent with Balak, and they came to Kiriath-huzoth.
40
Balaksacrificedoxen and sheep, and sent some to Balaam and the leaderswho were with him.
41
Then it came about in the morning that BalaktookBalaam and brought him up to 26the highplaces of Baal, and he saw from there a 27portion of the people.