Numbers 22
1 And they set out [the] people of Israel and they encamped in [the] plains of Moab from [the] other side of [the] Jordan of Jericho.
Then the Israelites traveled on and camped in the plains of Moab near the Jordan, across from Jericho.
2 And he saw Balak [the] son of Zippor all that it had done Israel to the Amorite[s].
Now Balak son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites,
3 And it was afraid Moab because of the people exceedingly for [was] numerous it and it felt dread Moab because of [the] people of Israel.
and Moab was terrified of the people because they were numerous. Indeed, Moab dreaded the Israelites.
4 And it said Moab to [the] elders of Midian now they will lick up the company all around us as licks up the ox [the] greenery of the field and Balak [the] son of Zippor [was] king of Moab at the time that.
So the Moabites said to the elders of Midian, “This horde will devour everything around us, as an ox licks up the grass of the field.” Since Balak son of Zippor was king of Moab at that time,
5 And he sent messengers to Balaam [the] son of Beor Pethor towards which [was] at the river [the] land of [the] sons of people his to summon him saying here! a people it has come out from Egypt here! it has covered [the] eye of the land and it [is] dwelling from in front of me.
he sent messengers to Balaam son of Beor at Pethor, which is by the Euphrates in the land of his people. “Behold, a people has come out of Egypt,” said Balak. “They cover the face of the land and have settled next to me.
6 And therefore come! please curse! for me the people this for [is too] mighty it for me perhaps I will be able to strike it and I will drive out it from the land for I know [the one] whom you bless [is] blessed and [the one] whom you curse he is cursed.
So please come now and put a curse on this people, because they are too mighty for me. Perhaps I may be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land; for I know that those you bless are blessed, and those you curse are cursed.”
7 And they went [the] elders of Moab and [the] elders of Midian and divinations [were] in hand their and they came to Balaam and they spoke to him [the] words of Balak.
The elders of Moab and Midian departed with the fees for divination in hand. They came to Balaam and relayed to him the words of Balak.
8 And he said to them lodge here this night and I will bring back you word just as he will speak Yahweh to me and they remained [the] leaders of Moab with Balaam.
“Spend the night here,” Balaam replied, “and I will give you the answer that the LORD speaks to me.” So the princes of Moab stayed with Balaam.
9 And he came God to Balaam and he said who? [are] the men these with you.
Then God came to Balaam and asked, “Who are these men with you?”
10 And he said Balaam to God Balak [the] son of Zippor [the] king of Moab he sent to me.
And Balaam said to God, “Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab, sent me this message:
11 Here! the people which has come out from Egypt and it has covered [the] eye of the land now come! curse! for me it perhaps I will be able to engage in battle against it and I will drive out it.
‘Behold, a people has come out of Egypt, and they cover the face of the land. Now come and put a curse on them for me. Perhaps I may be able to fight against them and drive them away.’”
12 And he said God to Balaam not you will go with them not you will curse the people for [is] blessed it.
But God said to Balaam, “Do not go with them. You are not to curse this people, for they are blessed.”
13 And he arose Balaam in the morning and he said to [the] leaders of Balak go to land your for he has refused Yahweh to permit me to go with you.
So Balaam got up the next morning and said to Balak’s princes, “Go back to your homeland, because the LORD has refused to let me go with you.”
14 And they arose [the] leaders of Moab and they went to Balak and they said he has refused Balaam to come with us.
And the princes of Moab arose, returned to Balak, and said, “Balaam refused to come with us.”
15 And he repeated again Balak to send leaders many and honored more than these.
Then Balak sent other princes, more numerous and more distinguished than the first messengers.
16 And they came to Balaam and they said to him thus he says Balak [the] son of Zippor do not please let yourself be restrained from coming to me.
They came to Balaam and said, “This is what Balak son of Zippor says: ‘Please let nothing hinder you from coming to me,
17 For surely I will honor you exceedingly and all that you will say to me I will do and come! please curse! for me the people this.
for I will honor you richly and do whatever you say. So please come and put a curse on this people for me!’”
18 And he answered Balaam and he said to [the] servants of Balak if he will give to me Balak [the] fullness of house his silver and gold not I will be able to transgress [the] mouth of Yahweh God my by doing a small [thing] or a large [thing].
But Balaam replied to the servants of Balak, “If Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything small or great to go beyond the command of the LORD my God.
19 And now remain please in this [place] also you this night so let me know what? will he increase Yahweh to speak with me.
So now, please stay here overnight as the others did, that I may find out what else the LORD has to tell me.”
20 And he came God - to Balaam night and he said to him if to summon you they have come the men arise go with them and only the word which I will speak to you it you will do.
That night God came to Balaam and said, “Since these men have come to summon you, get up and go with them, but you must only do what I tell you.”
21 And he arose Balaam in the morning and he saddled donkey his and he went with [the] leaders of Moab.
So in the morning Balaam got up, saddled his donkey, and went with the princes of Moab.
22 And it burned [the] anger of God for [was] going he and he stood [the] angel of Yahweh in the road to an adversary to him and he [was] riding on donkey his and two of servants his [were] with him.
Then God’s anger was kindled because Balaam was going along, and the angel of the LORD stood in the road to oppose him. Balaam was riding his donkey, and his two servants were with him.
23 And it saw the donkey [the] angel of Yahweh standing in the road and sword his [was] drawn in hand his and it turned aside the donkey from the road and it went in the field and he struck Balaam the donkey to turn it the road.
When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand, she turned off the path and went into a field. So Balaam beat her to return her to the path.
24 And he stood [the] angel of Yahweh in [the] narrow way of the vineyards a wall from this and a wall from this.
Then the angel of the LORD stood in a narrow passage between two vineyards, with walls on either side.
25 And it saw the donkey [the] angel of Yahweh and it squeezed itself to the wall and it squeezed [the] foot of Balaam to the wall and he repeated to strike it.
And the donkey saw the angel of the LORD and pressed herself against the wall, crushing Balaam’s foot against it. So he beat her once again.
26 And he increased [the] angel of Yahweh to pass on and he stood in a place narrow where there not [was] a way to turn aside right [hand] and left [hand].
And the angel of the LORD moved on ahead and stood in a narrow place where there was no room to turn to the right or left.
27 And it saw the donkey [the] angel of Yahweh and it lay down under Balaam and it burned [the] anger of Balaam and he struck the donkey with the stick.
When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she lay down under Balaam, and he became furious and beat her with his staff.
28 And he opened Yahweh [the] mouth of the donkey and it said to Balaam what? have I done to you that you have struck me this three feet.
Then the LORD opened the donkey’s mouth, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you that you have beaten me these three times?”
29 And he said Balaam to the donkey that you have dealt wantonly with me if there [were] a sword in hand my that now I killed you.
Balaam answered the donkey, “You have made a fool of me! If I had a sword in my hand, I would kill you right now!”
30 And it said the donkey to Balaam ¿ not [am] I donkey your which you have ridden on me from duration your until the day this ¿ really have I had [the] habit to do to you thus and he said no.
But the donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not the donkey you have ridden all your life until today? Have I ever treated you this way before?” “No,” he replied.
31 And he uncovered Yahweh [the] eyes of Balaam and he saw [the] angel of Yahweh standing in the road and sword his [was] drawn in hand his and he bowed low and he bowed down to face his.
Then the LORD opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand. And Balaam bowed low and fell facedown.
32 And he said to him [the] angel of Yahweh concerning what? did you strike female donkey your this three feet here! I I came out to an adversary for it is precipitate the way to before me.
The angel of the LORD asked him, “Why have you beaten your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out to oppose you, because your way is perverse before me.
33 And it saw me the donkey and it turned aside before me this three feet perhaps it had turned aside from before me if now also you I killed and it I preserved alive.
The donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times. If she had not turned away, then by now I would surely have killed you and let her live.”
34 And he said Balaam to [the] angel of Yahweh I have sinned for not I knew that you [were] standing to meet me in the road and therefore if [it is] displeasing in view your I will turn back for myself.
“I have sinned,” Balaam said to the angel of the LORD, “for I did not realize that you were standing in the road to confront me. And now, if this is displeasing in your sight, I will go back home.”
35 And he said [the] angel of Yahweh to Balaam go with the men and only the word which I will speak to you it you will speak and he went Balaam with [the] leaders of Balak.
But the angel of the LORD said to Balaam, “Go with the men, but you are to speak only what I tell you.” So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.
36 And he heard Balak that he had come Balaam and he went out to meet him to [the] city of Moab which [is] on [the] border of Arnon which [is] at [the] end of the territory.
When Balak heard that Balaam was coming, he went out to meet him at the Moabite city on the Arnon border, at the edge of his territory.
37 And he said Balak to Balaam ¿ not certainly did I send to you to summon you why? not did you come to me ¿ really not am I able to honor you.
And he said to Balaam, “Did I not send you an urgent summons? Why did you not come to me? Am I really not able to richly reward you?”
38 And he said Balaam to Balak here! I have come to you now ¿ certainly am I able to speak anything the word which he will put God in mouth my it I will speak.
“See, I have come to you,” Balaam replied, “but can I say just anything? I must speak only the word that God puts in my mouth.”
39 And he went Balaam with Balak and they came Kiriath-huzoth.
So Balaam accompanied Balak, and they came to Kiriath-huzoth.
40 And he sacrificed Balak cattle and sheep and he sent to Balaam and to the leaders who [were] with him.
Balak sacrificed cattle and sheep, and he gave portions to Balaam and the princes who were with him.
41 And it was in the morning and he took Balak Balaam and he brought up him Bamoth Baal and he saw from there [the] outskirt[s] of the people.
The next morning, Balak took Balaam and brought him up to Bamoth-baal. From there he could see the outskirts of the camp of the people.
