1 Tendo partido os filhos de Israel, acamparam-se nas campinas de Moabe, além do Jordão, na altura de Jericó. 2 Viu, pois, Balaque, filho de Zipor, tudo o que Israel fizera aos amorreus; 3 Moabe teve grande medo deste povo, porque era muito; e andava angustiado por causa dos filhos de Israel; 4 pelo que Moabe disse aos anciãos dos midianitas: Agora, lamberá esta multidão tudo quanto houver ao redor de nós, como o boi lambe a erva do campo. Balaque, filho de Zipor, naquele tempo, era rei dos moabitas. 5 Enviou ele mensageiros a Balaão, filho de Beor, a Petor, que está junto ao rio Eufrates, na terra dos filhos do seu povo, a chamá-lo, dizendo: Eis que um povo saiu do Egito, cobre a face da terra e está morando defronte de mim. 6 Vem, pois, agora, rogo-te, amaldiçoa-me este povo, pois é mais poderoso do que eu; para ver se o poderei ferir e lançar fora da terra, porque sei que a quem tu abençoares será abençoado, e a quem tu amaldiçoares será amaldiçoado.

7 Então, foram-se os anciãos dos moabitas e os anciãos dos midianitas, levando consigo o preço dos encantamentos; e chegaram a Balaão e lhe referiram as palavras de Balaque. 8 Balaão lhes disse: Ficai aqui esta noite, e vos trarei a resposta, como o Senhor me falar; então, os príncipes dos moabitas ficaram com Balaão. 9 Veio Deus a Balaão e disse: Quem são estes homens contigo? 10 Respondeu Balaão a Deus: Balaque, rei dos moabitas, filho de Zipor, os enviou para que me dissessem: 11 Eis que o povo que saiu do Egito cobre a face da terra; vem, agora, amaldiçoa-mo; talvez eu possa combatê-lo e lançá-lo fora. 12 Então, disse Deus a Balaão: Não irás com eles, nem amaldiçoarás o povo; porque é povo abençoado. 13 Levantou-se Balaão pela manhã e disse aos príncipes de Balaque: Tornai à vossa terra, porque o Senhor recusa deixar-me ir convosco. 14 Tendo-se levantado os príncipes dos moabitas, foram a Balaque e disseram: Balaão recusou vir conosco.

15 De novo, enviou Balaque príncipes, em maior número e mais honrados do que os primeiros, 16 os quais chegaram a Balaão e lhe disseram: Assim diz Balaque, filho de Zipor: Peço-te não te demores em vir a mim, 17 porque grandemente te honrarei e farei tudo o que me disseres; vem, pois, rogo-te, amaldiçoa-me este povo. 18 Respondeu Balaão aos oficiais de Balaque: Ainda que Balaque me desse a sua casa cheia de prata e de ouro, eu não poderia traspassar o mandado do Senhor, meu Deus, para fazer coisa pequena ou grande; 19 agora, pois, rogo-vos que também aqui fiqueis esta noite, para que eu saiba o que mais o Senhor me dirá. 20 Veio, pois, o Senhor a Balaão, de noite, e disse-lhe: Se aqueles homens vieram chamar-te, levanta-te, vai com eles; todavia, farás somente o que eu te disser.

21 Então, Balaão levantou-se pela manhã, albardou a sua jumenta e partiu com os príncipes de Moabe. 22 Acendeu-se a ira de Deus, porque ele se foi; e o Anjo do Senhor pôs-se-lhe no caminho por adversário. Ora, Balaão ia caminhando, montado na sua jumenta, e dois de seus servos, com ele. 23 Viu, pois, a jumenta o Anjo do Senhor parado no caminho, com a sua espada desembainhada na mão; pelo que se desviou a jumenta do caminho, indo pelo campo; então, Balaão espancou a jumenta para fazê-la tornar ao caminho. 24 Mas o Anjo do Senhor pôs-se numa vereda entre as vinhas, havendo muro de um e outro lado. 25 Vendo, pois, a jumenta o Anjo do Senhor, coseu-se contra o muro e comprimiu contra este o pé de Balaão; por isso, tornou a espancá-la. 26 Então, o Anjo do Senhor passou mais adiante e pôs-se num lugar estreito, onde não havia caminho para se desviar nem para a direita, nem para a esquerda. 27 Vendo a jumenta o Anjo do Senhor, deixou-se cair debaixo de Balaão; acendeu-se a ira de Balaão, e espancou a jumenta com a vara. 28 Então, o Senhor fez falar a jumenta, a qual disse a Balaão: Que te fiz eu, que me espancaste já três vezes? 29 Respondeu Balaão à jumenta: Porque zombaste de mim; tivera eu uma espada na mão e, agora, te mataria. 30 Replicou a jumenta a Balaão: Porventura, não sou a tua jumenta, em que toda a tua vida cavalgaste até hoje? Acaso, tem sido o meu costume fazer assim contigo? Ele respondeu: Não.

31 Então, o Senhor abriu os olhos a Balaão, ele viu o Anjo do Senhor, que estava no caminho, com a sua espada desembainhada na mão; pelo que inclinou a cabeça e prostrou-se com o rosto em terra. 32 Então, o Anjo do Senhor lhe disse: Por que já três vezes espancaste a jumenta? Eis que eu saí como teu adversário, porque o teu caminho é perverso diante de mim; 33 a jumenta me viu e já três vezes se desviou de diante de mim; na verdade, eu, agora, te haveria matado e a ela deixaria com vida. 34 Então, Balaão disse ao Anjo do Senhor: Pequei, porque não soube que estavas neste caminho para te opores a mim; agora, se parece mal aos teus olhos, voltarei. 35 Tornou o Anjo do Senhor a Balaão: Vai-te com estes homens; mas somente aquilo que eu te disser, isso falarás. Assim, Balaão se foi com os príncipes de Balaque.

36 Tendo Balaque ouvido que Balaão havia chegado, saiu-lhe ao encontro até à cidade de Moabe, que está nos confins do Arnom e na fronteira extrema. 37 Perguntou Balaque a Balaão: Porventura, não enviei mensageiros a chamar-te? Por que não vieste a mim? Não posso eu, na verdade, honrar-te? 38 Respondeu Balaão a Balaque: Eis-me perante ti; acaso, poderei eu, agora, falar alguma coisa? A palavra que Deus puser na minha boca, essa falarei. 39 Balaão foi com Balaque, e chegaram a Quiriate-Huzote. 40 Então, Balaque sacrificou bois e ovelhas; e deles enviou a Balaão e aos príncipes que estavam com ele. 41 Sucedeu que, pela manhã, Balaque tomou a Balaão e o fez subir a Bamote-Baal; e Balaão viu dali a parte mais próxima do povo.

1 And the children of Israel journeyed, and encamped in the plains of Moab beyond the Jordan at Jericho.

2 And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites. 3 And Moab was sore afraid of the people, because they were many: and Moab was distressed because of the children of Israel. 4 And Moab said unto the elders of Midian, Now will this multitude lick up all that is round about us, as the ox licketh up the grass of the field. And Balak the son of Zippor was king of Moab at that time. 5 And he sent messengers unto Balaam the son of Beor, to Pethor, which is by the River, to the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying, Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt: behold, they cover the face of the earth, and they abide over against me. 6 Come now therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people; for they are too mighty for me: peradventure I shall prevail, that we may smite them, and that I may drive them out of the land; for I know that he whom thou blessest is blessed, and he whom thou cursest is cursed.

7 And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand; and they came unto Balaam, and spake unto him the words of Balak. 8 And he said unto them, Lodge here this night, and I will bring you word again, as Jehovah shall speak unto me: and the princes of Moab abode with Balaam. 9 And God came unto Balaam, and said, What men are these with thee? 10 And Balaam said unto God, Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, hath sent unto me, saying, 11 Behold, the people that is come out of Egypt, it covereth the face of the earth: now, come curse me them; peradventure I shall be able to fight against them, and shall drive them out. 12 And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people; for they are blessed. 13 And Balaam rose up in the morning, and said unto the princes of Balak, Get you into your land; for Jehovah refuseth to give me leave to go with you. 14 And the princes of Moab rose up, and they went unto Balak, and said, Balaam refuseth to come with us.

15 And Balak sent yet again princes, more, and more honorable than they. 16 And they came to Balaam, and said to him, Thus saith Balak the son of Zippor, Let nothing, I pray thee, hinder thee from coming unto me: 17 for I will promote thee unto very great honor, and whatsoever thou sayest unto me I will do: come therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people. 18 And Balaam answered and said unto the servants of Balak, If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of Jehovah my God, to do less or more. 19 Now therefore, I pray you, tarry ye also here this night, that I may know what Jehovah will speak unto me more. 20 And God came unto Balaam at night, and said unto him, If the men are come to call thee, rise up, go with them; but only the word which I speak unto thee, that shalt thou do.

21 And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab. 22 And God’s anger was kindled because he went; and the angel of Jehovah placed himself in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him. 23 And the ass saw the angel of Jehovah standing in the way, with his sword drawn in his hand; and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way. 24 Then the angel of Jehovah stood in a narrow path between the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side. 25 And the ass saw the angel of Jehovah, and she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall: and he smote her again. 26 And the angel of Jehovah went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left. 27 And the ass saw the angel of Jehovah, and she lay down under Balaam: and Balaam’s anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with his staff. 28 And Jehovah opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times? 29 And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in my hand, for now I had killed thee. 30 And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden all thy life long unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee? and he said, Nay.

31 Then Jehovah opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of Jehovah standing in the way, with his sword drawn in his hand; and he bowed his head, and fell on his face. 32 And the angel of Jehovah said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I am come forth for an adversary, because thy way is perverse before me: 33 and the ass saw me, and turned aside before me these three times: unless she had turned aside from me, surely now I had even slain thee, and saved her alive. 34 And Balaam said unto the angel of Jehovah, I have sinned; for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me: now therefore, if it displease thee, I will get me back again. 35 And the angel of Jehovah said unto Balaam, Go with the men; but only the word that I shall speak unto thee, that thou shalt speak. So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.

36 And when Balak heard that Balaam was come, he went out to meet him unto the City of Moab, which is on the border of the Arnon, which is in the utmost part of the border. 37 And Balak said unto Balaam, Did I not earnestly send unto thee to call thee? wherefore camest thou not unto me? am I not able indeed to promote thee to honor? 38 And Balaam said unto Balak, Lo, I am come unto thee: have I now any power at all to speak anything? the word that God putteth in my mouth, that shall I speak. 39 And Balaam went with Balak, and they came unto Kiriath-huzoth. 40 And Balak sacrificed oxen and sheep, and sent to Balaam, and to the princes that were with him.

41 And it came to pass in the morning, that Balak took Balaam, and brought him up into the high places of Baal; and he saw from thence the utmost part of the people.

1 Then the Israelites traveled to the plains of Moab and camped along the Jordan across from Jericho.

2 Now Balak son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites,

3 and Moab was terrified because there were so many people. Indeed, Moab was filled with dread because of the Israelites.

4 The Moabites said to the elders of Midian, "This horde is going to lick up everything around us, as an ox licks up the grass of the field." So Balak son of Zippor, who was king of Moab at that time,

5 sent messengers to summon Balaam son of Beor, who was at Pethor, near the Euphrates River, in his native land. Balak said: "A people has come out of Egypt; they cover the face of the land and have settled next to me.

6 Now come and put a curse on these people, because they are too powerful for me. Perhaps then I will be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land. For I know that whoever you bless is blessed, and whoever you curse is cursed."

7 The elders of Moab and Midian left, taking with them the fee for divination. When they came to Balaam, they told him what Balak had said.

8 "Spend the night here," Balaam said to them, "and I will report back to you with the answer the LORD gives me." So the Moabite officials stayed with him.

9 God came to Balaam and asked, "Who are these men with you?"

10 Balaam said to God, "Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab, sent me this message:

11 'A people that has come out of Egypt covers the face of the land. Now come and put a curse on them for me. Perhaps then I will be able to fight them and drive them away.'"

12 But God said to Balaam, "Do not go with them. You must not put a curse on those people, because they are blessed."

13 The next morning Balaam got up and said to Balak's officials, "Go back to your own country, for the LORD has refused to let me go with you."

14 So the Moabite officials returned to Balak and said, "Balaam refused to come with us."

15 Then Balak sent other officials, more numerous and more distinguished than the first.

16 They came to Balaam and said: "This is what Balak son of Zippor says: Do not let anything keep you from coming to me,

17 because I will reward you handsomely and do whatever you say. Come and put a curse on these people for me."

18 But Balaam answered them, "Even if Balak gave me all the silver and gold in his palace, I could not do anything great or small to go beyond the command of the LORD my God.

19 Now spend the night here so that I can find out what else the LORD will tell me."

20 That night God came to Balaam and said, "Since these men have come to summon you, go with them, but do only what I tell you."

21 Balaam got up in the morning, saddled his donkey and went with the Moabite officials.

22 But God was very angry when he went, and the angel of the LORD stood in the road to oppose him. Balaam was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him.

23 When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand, it turned off the road into a field. Balaam beat it to get it back on the road.

24 Then the angel of the LORD stood in a narrow path through the vineyards, with walls on both sides.

25 When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, it pressed close to the wall, crushing Balaam's foot against it. So he beat the donkey again.

26 Then the angel of the LORD moved on ahead and stood in a narrow place where there was no room to turn, either to the right or to the left.

27 When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, it lay down under Balaam, and he was angry and beat it with his staff.

28 Then the LORD opened the donkey's mouth, and it said to Balaam, "What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?"

29 Balaam answered the donkey, "You have made a fool of me! If only I had a sword in my hand, I would kill you right now."

30 The donkey said to Balaam, "Am I not your own donkey, which you have always ridden, to this day? Have I been in the habit of doing this to you?" "No," he said.

31 Then the LORD opened Balaam's eyes, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with his sword drawn. So he bowed low and fell facedown.

32 The angel of the LORD asked him, "Why have you beaten your donkey these three times? I have come here to oppose you because your path is a reckless one before me. [^1]

33 The donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times. If it had not turned away, I would certainly have killed you by now, but I would have spared it."

34 Balaam said to the angel of the LORD, "I have sinned. I did not realize you were standing in the road to oppose me. Now if you are displeased, I will go back."

35 The angel of the LORD said to Balaam, "Go with the men, but speak only what I tell you." So Balaam went with Balak's officials.

36 When Balak heard that Balaam was coming, he went out to meet him at the Moabite town on the Arnon border, at the edge of his territory.

37 Balak said to Balaam, "Did I not send you an urgent summons? Why didn't you come to me? Am I really not able to reward you?"

38 "Well, I have come to you now," Balaam replied. "But I can't say whatever I please. I must speak only what God puts in my mouth."

39 Then Balaam went with Balak to Kiriath Huzoth.

40 Balak sacrificed cattle and sheep, and gave some to Balaam and the officials who were with him.

41 The next morning Balak took Balaam up to Bamoth Baal, and from there he could see the outskirts of the Israelite camp.