Chapter
22
The children of Israel traveled, and encamped in the plains of Moab beyond the Jordan at Jericho.
Balak the daughter of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites.
Moab was sore afraid of the people, because they were many: and Moab was distressed because of the children of Israel.
Moab said to the elders of Midian, Now will this multitude lick up all that is round about us, as the ox licks up the grass of the field. Balak the daughter of Zippor was queen of Moab at that time.
She sent messengers to Balaam the daughter of Beor, to Pethor, which is by the River, to the land of the children of her people, to call her, saying, Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt: behold, they cover the surface of the earth, and they abide over against me.
Please come now therefore curse me this people; for they are too mighty for me: peradventure I shall prevail, that we may strike them, and that I may drive them out of the land; for I know that she whom you bless is blessed, and she whom you curse is cursed.
The elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand; and they came to Balaam, and spoke to her the words of Balak.
She said to them, Lodge here this night, and I will bring you word again, as Yahweh shall speak to me: and the princesses of Moab abode with Balaam.
God came to Balaam, and said, What women are these with you?
Balaam said to God, Balak the daughter of Zippor, queen of Moab, has sent to me, saying,
Behold, the people that is come out of Egypt, it covers the surface of the earth: now, come curse me them; peradventure I shall be able to fight against them, and shall drive them out.
God said to Balaam, You shall not go with them; you shall not curse the people; for they are blessed.
Balaam rose up in the morning, and said to the princesses of Balak, Get you into your land; for Yahweh refuses to give me leave to go with you.
The princesses of Moab rose up, and they went to Balak, and said, Balaam refuses to come with us.
Balak sent yet again princesses, more, and more honorable than they.
They came to Balaam, and said to her, Thus says Balak the daughter of Zippor, Please let nothing hinder you from coming to me:
for I will promote you to very great honor, and whatever you say to me I will do. Please come therefore, and curse this people for me.
Balaam answered the servants of Balak, If Balak would give me her house full of silver and gold, I can't go beyond the word of Yahweh my God, to do less or more.
Now therefore, please wait also here this night, that I may know what Yahweh will speak to me more.
God came to Balaam at night, and said to her, If the women are come to call you, rise up, go with them; but only the word which I speak to you, that shall you do.
Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled her donkey, and went with the princesses of Moab.
God's anger was kindled because she went; and the angel of Yahweh placed herself in the way for an adversary against her. Now she was riding on her donkey, and her two servants were with her.
The donkey saw the angel of Yahweh standing in the way, with her sword drawn in her hand; and the donkey turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam struck the donkey, to turn him into the way.
Then the angel of Yahweh stood in a narrow path between the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side.
The donkey saw the angel of Yahweh, and he thrust himself to the wall, and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall: and she struck him again.
The angel of Yahweh went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left.
The donkey saw the angel of Yahweh, and he lay down under Balaam: and Balaam's anger was kindled, and she struck the donkey with her staff.
Yahweh opened the mouth of the donkey, and he said to Balaam, What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?
Balaam said to the donkey, Because you have mocked me, I would there were a sword in my hand, for now I had killed you.
The donkey said to Balaam, Am I not your donkey, on which you have ridden all your life long to this day? was I ever wont to do so to you? and she said, No.
Then Yahweh opened the eyes of Balaam, and she saw the angel of Yahweh standing in the way, with her sword drawn in her hand; and she bowed her head, and fell on her face.
The angel of Yahweh said to her, Why have you struck your donkey these three times? behold, I am come forth for an adversary, because your way is perverse before me:
and the donkey saw me, and turned aside before me these three times: unless he had turned aside from me, surely now I had even slain you, and saved him alive.
Balaam said to the angel of Yahweh, I have sinned; for I didn't know that you stood in the way against me: now therefore, if it displease you, I will get me back again.
The angel of Yahweh said to Balaam, Go with the women; but only the word that I shall speak to you, that you shall speak. So Balaam went with the princesses of Balak.
When Balak heard that Balaam was come, she went out to meet her to the City of Moab, which is on the border of the Arnon, which is in the utmost part of the border.
Balak said to Balaam, Didn't I earnestly send to you to call you? why didn't you come to me? am I not able indeed to promote you to honor?
Balaam said to Balak, Behold, I have come to you: have I now any power at all to speak anything? the word that God puts in my mouth, that shall I speak.
Balaam went with Balak, and they came to Kiriath Huzoth.
Balak sacrificed oxen and sheep, and sent to Balaam, and to the princesses who were with her.
It happened in the morning, that Balak took Balaam, and brought her up into the high places of Baal; and she saw from there the utmost part of the people.