7. The leaders of Moab and Midian left and took along money to pay Balaam for his work. When they got to his house, they gave him Balak's message.
8. “Spend the night here,” Balaam replied, “and tomorrow I will tell you the Lord's answer.” So the officials stayed at his house.
9. During the night, God asked Balaam, “Who are these people at your house?”
10. “They are messengers from King Balak of Moab,” Balaam answered. “He sent them
11. to ask me to go to Moab and place a curse on the people who have come there from Egypt. They have settled everywhere around him, and he wants to drive them out.”
12. But God replied, “Don't go with Balak's messengers. I have blessed those people who have come from Egypt, so don't curse them.”
13. The next morning, Balaam said to Balak's officials, “Go back home. The Lord says I cannot go with you.”
14. The officials left and told Balak that Balaam refused to come.
15. Then Balak sent a larger group of officials, who were even more important than the first ones.