Scriptures

New King James Version (NKJV)

Numbers 22
⁷ So the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the diviner’s fee in their hand, and they came to Balaam and spoke to him the words of Balak.
⁸ And he said to them, "Lodge here tonight, and I will bring back word to you, as the Lord speaks to me." So the princes of Moab stayed with Balaam.
⁹ Then God came to Balaam and said, "Who are these men with you?"
¹⁰ So Balaam said to God, "Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, has sent to me, saying,
¹¹ ’Look, a people has come out of Egypt, and they cover the face of the earth. Come now, curse them for me; perhaps I shall be able to overpower them and drive them out.’ "
¹² And God said to Balaam, "You shall not go with them; you shall not curse the people, for they are blessed."
¹³ So Balaam rose in the morning and said to the princes of Balak, "Go back to your land, for the Lord has refused to give me permission to go with you."
¹⁴ And the princes of Moab rose and went to Balak, and said, "Balaam refuses to come with us."
¹⁵ Then Balak again sent princes, more numerous and more honorable than they.
¹⁶ And they came to Balaam and said to him, "Thus says Balak the son of Zippor: ’Please let nothing hinder you from coming to me;
¹⁷ for I will certainly honor you greatly, and I will do whatever you say to me. Therefore please come, curse this people for me.’ "