1. The Israelites moved on and set up camp in the plains of Moab east of the Jordan and opposite Jericho.
2. When the king of Moab, Balak son of Zippor, heard what the Israelites had done to the Amorites and how many Israelites there were,
3. he and all his people became terrified.
4. The Moabites said to the leaders of the Midianites, “This horde will soon destroy everything round us, like a bull eating the grass in a pasture.” So King Balak
5. sent messengers to summon Balaam son of Beor, who was at Pethor near the River Euphrates in the land of Amaw. They brought him this message from Balak: “I want you to know that a whole nation has come from Egypt; its people are spreading out everywhere and threatening to take over our land.
6. They outnumber us, so please come and put a curse on them for me. Then perhaps we will be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land. I know that when you pronounce a blessing, people are blessed, and when you pronounce a curse, they are placed under a curse.”
7. So the Moabite and Midianite leaders took with them the payment for the curse, went to Balaam, and gave him Balak's message.
8. Balaam said to them, “Spend the night here, and tomorrow I will report to you whatever the Lord tells me.” So the Moabite leaders stayed with Balaam.
9. God came to Balaam and asked, “Who are these men that are staying with you?”
10. He answered, “King Balak of Moab has sent them to tell me