World English Bible WEB
New International Version NIV
1 The children of Israel journeyed, and encamped in the plains of Moab beyond the Jordan at Jericho.
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Then the Israelites traveled to the plains of Moab and camped along the Jordan across from Jericho.
2 Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites.
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Now Balak 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.
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and Moab was terrified because there were so many people. Indeed, Moab was filled with dread because of the Israelites.
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.
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The Moabites said to the elders of Midian, “This horde is going to lick up everything around us, as an ox licks up the grass of the field.” So Balak son of Zippor, who 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.
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sent messengers to summon Balaam son of Beor, who was at Pethor, near the Euphrates River, in his native land. Balak said: “A people has come out of Egypt; they cover the face of the land and have settled next to 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.
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Now come and put a curse on these people, because they are too powerful for me. Perhaps then I will be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land. For I know that whoever you bless is blessed, and whoever 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.
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The elders of Moab and Midian left, taking with them the fee for divination. When they came to Balaam, they told him what Balak had said.
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