9. God came to Balaam and asked, “Who are these men with you?”
10. Balaam said to God, “Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab, sent word to me:
11. See, the people coming out of Egypt cover the surface of the land. Come now, curse them for me. Perhaps I will be able to fight against them and drive them away!”
12. God said to Balaam, “Do not go with them! Do not curse them, for they are blessed!”
13. So Balaam got up in the morning and said to the officials of Balak, “Go back to your country, for Adonai has refused to let me go with you.”
14. So the Moabite officials got up, went back to Balak, and said, “Balaam refused to come with us.”
15. Balak again sent other dignitaries, more numerous and honored than these previous ones.
16. They also came to Balaam and said to him, “Thus says Balak son of Zippor: Please let nothing keep you from coming to me!
17. I will richly reward you, and everything you tell me I will do! Just come now and curse this people for me!”
18. But Balaam answered Balak’s servants, “Even if Balak gave me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot cross beyond the mouth of Adonai my God, to do anything small or great!
19. But now, you may spend the night here, too. Then I may find out anything else Adonai may say to me.”