Numbers 22:1-6 ▼

1 The Israelites traveled on and camped in the plains of Moab near the Jordan across from Jericho.

2 Now Balak son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites.

3 Moab was terrified of the people because they were numerous, and Moab dreaded the Israelites .

4 So the Moabites said to the elders of Midian, “ This horde will devour everything around us like an ox eats up the green plants in the field.” Since Balak son of Zippor was Moab’s king at that time,

5 he sent messengers to Balaam son of Beor at Pethor, which is by the Euphrates in the land of his people . Balak said to him: “ Look, a people has come out of Egypt; they cover the surface of the land and are living right across from me.

6 Please come and put a curse on these people for me because they are more powerful than I am. I may be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land, for I know that those you bless are blessed and those you curse are cursed.”