Numbers 21:32   (Read all of Numbers 21)

After Moses had sent spies to Jazer, the Israelites captured its surrounding settlements and drove out the Amorites who were there.

Numbers 21:34   (Read all of Numbers 21)

The Lord said to Moses, "Do not be afraid of him, for I have delivered him into your hands, along with his whole army and his land. Do to him what you did to Sihon king of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon."

Numbers 21:35   (Read all of Numbers 21)

So they struck him down, together with his sons and his whole army, leaving them no survivors. And they took possession of his land.

Numbers 22:2   (Read all of Numbers 22)

Now Balak son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites,

Numbers 22:3   (Read all of Numbers 22)

and Moab was terrified because there were so many people. Indeed, Moab was filled with dread because of the Israelites.

Numbers 22:4   (Read all of Numbers 22)

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,

Numbers 22:5   (Read all of Numbers 22)

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.

Numbers 22:7   (Read all of Numbers 22)

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.

Numbers 22:8   (Read all of Numbers 22)

"Spend the night here," Balaam said to them, "and I will report back to you with the answer the Lord gives me." So the Moabite officials stayed with him.

Numbers 22:10   (Read all of Numbers 22)

Balaam said to God, "Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab, sent me this message:

Numbers 22:12   (Read all of Numbers 22)

But God said to Balaam, "Do not go with them. You must not put a curse on those people, because they are blessed."

Numbers 22:13   (Read all of Numbers 22)

The next morning Balaam got up and said to Balak's officials, "Go back to your own country, for the Lord has refused to let me go with you."

Numbers 22:14   (Read all of Numbers 22)

So the Moabite officials returned to Balak and said, "Balaam refused to come with us."

Numbers 22:15   (Read all of Numbers 22)

Then Balak sent other officials, more numerous and more distinguished than the first.

Numbers 22:16   (Read all of Numbers 22)

They came to Balaam and said: "This is what Balak son of Zippor says: Do not let anything keep you from coming to me,

Numbers 22:17   (Read all of Numbers 22)

because I will reward you handsomely and do whatever you say. Come and put a curse on these people for me."

Numbers 22:18   (Read all of Numbers 22)

But Balaam answered them, "Even if Balak gave me all the silver and gold in his palace, I could not do anything great or small to go beyond the command of the Lord my God.

Numbers 22:19   (Read all of Numbers 22)

Now spend the night here so that I can find out what else the Lord will tell me."

Numbers 22:20   (Read all of Numbers 22)

That night God came to Balaam and said, "Since these men have come to summon you, go with them, but do only what I tell you."

Numbers 22:21   (Read all of Numbers 22)

Balaam got up in the morning, saddled his donkey and went with the Moabite officials.

Numbers 22:22   (Read all of Numbers 22)

But God was very angry when he went, and the angel of the Lord stood in the road to oppose him. Balaam was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him.

Numbers 22:23   (Read all of Numbers 22)

When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand, it turned off the road into a field. Balaam beat it to get it back on the road.

Numbers 22:24   (Read all of Numbers 22)

Then the angel of the Lord stood in a narrow path through the vineyards, with walls on both sides.

Numbers 22:25   (Read all of Numbers 22)

When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, it pressed close to the wall, crushing Balaam's foot against it. So he beat the donkey again.