4. said to those greater by birth of Midian: "So will this people wipe away all those who are dwelling within our borders, in the same way that the ox is accustomed to tear out grass, all the way to the roots." At that time, he was king of Moab.
5. Therefore, he sent messengers to Balaam, the son of Beor, a seer who lived above the river of the land of the sons of Ammon, to call him, and to say: "Behold, a people has gone forth from Egypt, which has covered the face of the earth. They are encamped opposite me.
6. Therefore, come and curse this people, for they are stronger than I am. If only, in some way, I might be able to strike them and to drive them from my land. For I know that he whom you bless shall be blessed, and he whom you curse shall be cursed."
7. And the elders of Moab, and those greater by birth of Midian, continued on, holding the price of divination in their hands. And when they had come to Balaam, and had explained to him all the words of Balak,
8. he responded, "Remain for this night, and I will answer with whatever the Lord will say to me." And while they stayed with Balaam, God came and said to him,
9. "What do these men want with you?"
10. He responded, "Balak, the son of Zippor, the king of the Moabites has sent to me,
11. saying: 'Behold, a people, which has gone forth from Egypt, has covered the face of the earth. Come and curse them, so that, in some way, I may be able to fight them and drive them away.' "
12. And God said to Balaam, "Do not go with them, and do not curse the people, for they are blessed."
13. And he, rising up in the morning, said to the leaders, "Go into your own land, for the Lord has prohibited me from going with you."
14. Returning, the leaders said to Balak, "Balaam was not willing to come with us."
15. Again, he sent many more persons, and these were more noble than those he had sent before.
16. And when these had come to Balaam, they said: "So says Balak, the son of Zippor. Do not hesitate to come to me.
17. For I am ready to honor you, and whatever you would want, I shall give to you. Come and curse this people."
18. Balaam responded: "Even if Balak were to give to me his own house, filled with silver and gold, I still would not be able to change the word of the Lord my God, neither to say more, nor to say less.
19. I beg you to remain for this night also, so that I may know what the Lord will answer me again."
20. Therefore, God came to Balaam in the night, and said to him: "If these men have arrived to call you, then rise up and go with them; yet only in so far as you shall do what I will command you."
21. Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddling his donkey, he set out with them.
22. And God was angry. And an Angel of the Lord stood in the way opposite Balaam, who was sitting on the donkey, and he had two servants with him.