| [an error occurred while processing this directive] | New American Standard Bible 1995 |
| 1[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 1Then the sons of Israel journeyed, and camped in the plains of Moab beyond the Jordan opposite Jericho. |
| 2[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 2Now Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites. |
| 3[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 3So Moab was in great fear because of the people, for they were numerous; and Moab was in dread of the sons of Israel. |
| 4[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 4Moab said to the elders of Midian, "Now this horde will lick up all that is around us, as the ox licks up the grass of the field." And Balak the son of Zippor was king of Moab at that time. |
| 5[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 5So he sent messengers to Balaam the son of Beor, at Pethor, which is near the River, in the land of the sons of his people, to call him, saying, "Behold, a people came out of Egypt; behold, they cover the surface of the land, and they are living opposite me. |
| 6[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 6"Now, therefore, please come, curse this people for me since 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 he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed." |
| 7[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 7So the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the fees for divination in their hand; and they came to Balaam and repeated Balak's words to him. |
| 8[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 8He said to them, "Spend the night here, and I will bring word back to you as the LORD may speak to me." And the leaders of Moab stayed with Balaam. |
| 9[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 9Then God came to Balaam and said, "Who are these men with you?" |
| 10[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 10Balaam said to God, "Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, has sent word to me, |
| 11[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 11'Behold, there is a people who came out of Egypt and they cover the surface of the land; now come, curse them for me; perhaps I may be able to fight against them and drive them out.'" |
| 12[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 12God said to Balaam, "Do not go with them; you shall not curse the people, for they are blessed." |
| 13[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 13So Balaam arose in the morning and said to Balak's leaders, "Go back to your land, for the LORD has refused to let me go with you." |
| 14[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 14The leaders of Moab arose and went to Balak and said, "Balaam refused to come with us." |
| 15[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 15Then Balak again sent leaders, more numerous and more distinguished than the former. |
| 16[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 16They came to Balaam and said to him, "Thus says Balak the son of Zippor, 'Let nothing, I beg you, hinder you from coming to me; |
| 17[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 17for I will indeed honor you richly, and I will do whatever you say to me. Please come then, curse this people for me.'" |
| 18[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 18Balaam replied to the servants of Balak, "Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything, either small or great, contrary to the command of the LORD my God. |
| 19[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 19"Now please, you also stay here tonight, and I will find out what else the LORD will speak to me." |
| 20[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 20God came to Balaam at night and said to him, "If the men have come to call you, rise up and go with them; but only the word which I speak to you shall you do." |
| 21[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 21So Balaam arose in the morning, and saddled his donkey and went with the leaders of Moab. |
| 22[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 22But God was angry because he was going, and the angel of the LORD took his stand in the way as an adversary against him. Now he was riding on his donkey and his two servants were with him. |
| 23[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 23When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way with his drawn sword in his hand, the donkey turned off from the way and went into the field; but Balaam struck the donkey to turn her back into the way. |
| 24[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 24Then the angel of the LORD stood in a narrow path of the vineyards, with a wall on this side and a wall on that side. |
| 25[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 25When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she pressed herself to the wall and pressed Balaam's foot against the wall, so he struck her again. |
| 26[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 26The angel of the LORD went further, and stood in a narrow place where there was no way to turn to the right hand or the left. |
| 27[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 27When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she lay down under Balaam; so Balaam was angry and struck the donkey with his stick. |
| 28[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 28And the LORD opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, "What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?" |
| 29[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 29Then Balaam said to the donkey, "Because you have made a mockery of me! If there had been a sword in my hand, I would have killed you by now." |
| 30[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 30The donkey said to Balaam, "Am I not your donkey on which you have ridden all your life to this day? Have I ever been accustomed to do so to you?" And he said, "No." |
| 31[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 31Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way with his drawn sword in his hand; and he bowed all the way to the ground. |
| 32[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 32The angel of the LORD said to him, "Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out as an adversary, because your way was contrary to me. |
| 33[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 33"But the donkey saw me and turned aside from me these three times. If she had not turned aside from me, I would surely have killed you just now, and let her live." |
| 34[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 34Balaam said to the angel of the LORD, "I have sinned, for I did not know that you were standing in the way against me. Now then, if it is displeasing to you, I will turn back." |
| 35[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 35But the angel of the LORD said to Balaam, "Go with the men, but you shall speak only the word which I tell you." So Balaam went along with the leaders of Balak. |
| 36[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 36When Balak heard that Balaam was coming, he went out to meet him at the city of Moab, which is on the Arnon border, at the extreme end of the border. |
| 37[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 37Then Balak said to Balaam, "Did I not urgently send to you to call you? Why did you not come to me? Am I really unable to honor you?" |
| 38[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 38So Balaam said to Balak, "Behold, I have come now to you! Am I able to speak anything at all? The word that God puts in my mouth, that I shall speak." |
| 39[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 39And Balaam went with Balak, and they came to Kiriath-huzoth. |
| 40[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 40Balak sacrificed oxen and sheep, and sent some to Balaam and the leaders who were with him. |
| 41[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 41Then it came about in the morning that Balak took Balaam and brought him up to the high places of Baal, and he saw from there a portion of the people. |
| [an error occurred while processing this directive] | New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit //www.lockman.org |
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