7. Balak’s messengers, who were elders of Moab and Midian, set out with money to pay Balaam to place a curse upon Israel. They went to Balaam and delivered Balak’s message to him.
8. “Stay here overnight,” Balaam said. “In the morning I will tell you whatever the lord directs me to say.” So the officials from Moab stayed there with Balaam.
9. That night God came to Balaam and asked him, “Who are these men visiting you?”
10. Balaam said to God, “Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab, has sent me this message:
11. ‘Look, a vast horde of people has arrived from Egypt, and they cover the face of the earth. Come and curse these people for me. Then perhaps I will be able to stand up to them and drive them from the land.’”