Numbers 22 in plain modern English. New Ground English Translation.

The Israelites moved on and camped on the plains of Moab, on the east side of the Jordan across from Jericho.

Balak son of Zippor saw everything Israel had done to the Amorites.

Moab was absolutely terrified of the Israelites because there were so many of them. Moab was sick with dread over Israel.

So Moab said to the elders of Midian, "This horde is going to lick up everything around us like an ox licks up grass in a field." Balak son of Zippor was king of Moab at the time.

He sent messengers to Balaam son of Beor at Pethor, which is by the Euphrates River in his homeland, to summon him. The message said: "Look — a people has come out of Egypt. They've spread across the whole landscape and have settled right next to me.

So please — come and put a curse on this people for me, because they're too powerful for me. Maybe then I'll be able to defeat them and drive them out of this land. Because I know that whoever you speak well of is empowered, and whoever you curse is doomed."

The elders of Moab and the elders of Midian left, carrying payment for divination. They arrived at Balaam's place and delivered Balak's message to him.

Balaam told them, "Stay here tonight, and I'll bring you back whatever answer Yahweh gives me." So the Moabite officials stayed with Balaam.

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

Balaam answered God, "Balak son of Zippor, the king of Moab, sent them to me with this message:

'Look — the people who came out of Egypt have spread over the whole landscape. Come and put a curse on them for me. Maybe then I'll be able to fight them and push them out.'"

But God told Balaam, "Do not go with them. Do not put a curse on that people, because they are empowered."

Balaam got up the next morning and told Balak's officials, "Go back to your own land, because Yahweh has refused to let me go with you."

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

So Balak sent another group of officials — more of them and more important than the first group.

They came to Balaam and told him, "Here's what Balak son of Zippor says: 'Please — don't let anything stop you from coming to me.

I'll make it very worth your while, and I'll do whatever you tell me. Just come and put a curse on this people for me.'"

But Balaam answered Balak's officials, "Even if Balak gave me his entire palace filled with silver and gold, I couldn't go against the word of Yahweh my God — not in any way, large or small.

But please — stay here tonight too, so I can find out what else Yahweh might say to me."

That night God came to Balaam and told him, "Since these men have come to summon you, go ahead and go with them. But only do exactly what I tell you to do."

So Balaam got up the next morning, saddled his donkey, and went with the Moabite officials.

But God's anger burned because Balaam went. The angel of Yahweh stationed himself in the road to block Balaam's path. Balaam was riding his donkey, and his two servants were with him.

The donkey saw the angel of Yahweh standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand. The donkey turned off the road and went into the field. Balaam beat the donkey to get her back on the road.

Then the angel of Yahweh stood in a narrow path between two vineyards, with stone walls on both sides.

When the donkey saw the angel of Yahweh, she pressed herself against the wall, crushing Balaam's foot against it. So he beat her again.

Then the angel of Yahweh moved ahead and stood in a spot so narrow there was no room to turn — not to the right or to the left.

When the donkey saw the angel of Yahweh, she lay down under Balaam. Balaam's anger exploded and he beat the donkey with his staff.

Then Yahweh gave the donkey the ability to speak. She said to Balaam, "What have I done to you that you've beaten me three times now?"

Balaam shouted at the donkey, "Because you've made a fool of me! If I had a sword in my hand right now, I'd kill you!"

The donkey said to Balaam, "Am I not your donkey, the one you've ridden your whole life until today? Have I ever done this to you before?" He said, "No."

Then Yahweh opened Balaam's eyes, and he saw the angel of Yahweh standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand. Balaam dropped to the ground, face down.

The angel of Yahweh asked him, "Why have you beaten your donkey three times? I came here to block your path because your journey is reckless and wrong in my sight.

The donkey saw me and turned away from me three times. If she hadn't turned away, I would have killed you by now and let her live."

Balaam said to the angel of Yahweh, "I've done wrong. I didn't realize you were standing in my path. If this journey is wrong in your eyes, I'll go back."

The angel of Yahweh told Balaam, "Go with the men. But you may only speak the exact words I tell you." So Balaam continued on with Balak's officials.

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

Balak said to Balaam, "Didn't I send for you urgently? Why didn't you come to me? Do you think I can't reward you properly?"

Balaam replied, "Well, I'm here now. But I have no power to say just anything. I can only speak the words God puts in my mouth."

So Balaam went with Balak, and they came to Kiriath-huzoth.

Balak slaughtered cattle and sheep, and sent portions to Balaam and the officials who were with him.

The next morning, Balak took Balaam up to Bamoth-baal, and from there Balaam could see the outer edge of the Israelite camp.