Numbers Chapter 22:

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Number Verses, Chapter 22 of the Bible's Book of Numbers.

Numbers - Old Testament — Numbers – Old Testament

Balak calls Balaam

1. Then the children of Israel departed, and camped in the plains of Moab, across the Jordan from Jericho.
2. Balaam, the son of Beor, saw everything that Israel had done to the Amorites.
3. And Moab was greatly afraid of the people, because they were many; and Moab was terrified of the children of Israel.
4. And Moab said unto the elders of the Midianites, Now shall this congregation lick all our roundabouts, as an ox licketh the grass of the field? At that time Balak, son of Zippor, was king of the Moabites.
5. He sent messengers to Balaam the son of Beor, to Pethor, which is by the river, in the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying: Behold, a people are come out of Egypt, and behold, they cover the face of land and is dwelling opposite me.
6. Come now, I beg you, and curse this people for me, for they are more powerful than I; perhaps I may strike him and cast him out of the earth, for I know that whoever you bless will be blessed, and whoever you curse will be cursed.
7. And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian went away, carrying in their hands the price of the enchantments.
8. And they came to Balaam and told him the words of Balak.
9. And he said unto them, Stay here this night, and I will bring you an answer, as the LORD shall speak unto me; so the princes of the Moabites remained with Balaam.
10. And God came to Balaam, and said, Who are these men that are with thee?
11. And Balaam said to God, Balak the son of Zippor, king of the Moabites, sent them to me, saying:
12. Behold, a people came out of Egypt, and behold, they cover the face of the earth; So come now, curse me; perhaps I will be able to fight against him and cast him out.
13. Then God said to Balaam: You shall not go up with them, nor curse this people, for they are blessed.
14. And Balaam rose up in the morning, and said unto the princes of Balak, Go into your own country: for the LORD refuseth to let me go with you.
15. Then the princes of the Moabites arose and came to Balak, and said, Balaam refused to come with us.
16. Then Balak sent more princes, more honorable than the others.
17. And they came to Balaam, and said unto him, Thus saith Balak the son of Zippor: I beseech thee, be not hindered from coming unto me.
18. Behold, I have treated you well, and whatever you say to me I will do; Come therefore, I pray thee, curse this people unto me.
19. Then Balaam answered Balak's servants: Even if Balak gave me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the commandment of the LORD my God, to do anything small or great.
20. Now therefore, I beseech you, stay here this night also, that I may know what more the LORD will say to me.

Balaam's donkey

21. And God came to Balaam by night and said to him: If those men come to call you, get up, go with them, but you will only do what I tell you.
22. Then Balaam got up in the morning, saddled his donkey, and went with the princes of Moab.
23. And the wrath of God was kindled, because he went away; and the angel of the LORD stood in his way as an adversary; and he rode on his donkey, and two of his servants with him.
24. And the ass saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way with his drawn sword in his hand; So the donkey strayed from the path and went into the field; So Balaam beat the donkey to get her back on the path.
25. Then the angel of the LORD stood in a narrow passage in the vineyards, with a wall on one side and another on the other.
26. And when the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she leaned against the wall and pressed Balaam's foot against the wall; So he beat her again.
27. Then the angel of the LORD passed on and stood in a narrow place, where there was no way to turn either to the right or to the left.
28. And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she lay down under Balaam; Then Balaam's anger was kindled, and he beat the donkey with a stick.
29. And the LORD opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, What have I done to you, that you have beaten me these three times?
30. Then Balaam said to the donkey, Because you mocked me; I wish I had a sword in my hand that would kill you now!
31. And the ass said unto Balaam, Am I not thy ass, which thou hast ridden since I became thine unto this day? Do I usually do this with you? And he said: No.
32. Then the LORD opened Balaam's eyes, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way with his drawn sword in his hand; so he bowed his head and prostrated himself on his face.
33. And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Why have you beaten your ass three times? Behold, I came out to resist you, because your way is perverse in my sight.
34. And the donkey saw me and turned away from me three times; If she did not turn away from me, I would kill you now and leave her alive.
35. Then Balaam said to the angel of the LORD, I have sinned, because I did not know that you were before me in the way; Now, if it seems bad to you, I will return.
36. And the angel of the LORD said unto Balaam, Go with men: but only the word that I speak unto thee, that shalt thou speak. So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.
37. When Balak heard that Balaam was coming, he went out to meet him as far as the city of Moab, which is on the border of Arnon, which is at the edge of the land.
38. And Balak said to Balaam, Did I not send to you in haste? Why didn't you come to me? Can I not, in fact, honor you?
39. Then Balaam said to Balak, Behold, now I have come to you; Perhaps, can I say something? The word that God puts in my mouth, that I will speak.
40. And Balaam went with Balak, and they came to Kiriath-Huzoth.
41. And Balak sacrificed oxen and sheep and gave it to Balaam and to the princes that were with him.