1. Then Bnei-Yisrael set out and camped in the plains of Moab alongside the Jordan across from Jericho.
2. When Balak son of Zippor, realized all that Bnei-Yisrael had done to the Amorites,
3. Moab became terrified because there were so many people. Moab was filled with dread because of Bnei-Yisrael.
4. Moab said to the elders of Midian, “The multitude will lick up everything around us like the ox licks up the grass of the field.” Now Balak son of Zippor was king of Moab at that time.
5. He sent messengers to summon Balaam son of Beor, at Pethor near the River in his native land, saying to him, “Look now, a people has come out of Egypt. See now, they cover the surface of the earth and are settling beside me.
6. Come now, curse this people for me, because they are too strong for me! Perhaps I may be able to defeat them and drive them away from the country. I know that whoever you bless will be blessed and whoever you curse will be accursed!”