Numbers 22 - Contemporary English Version Interconfessional Edition（CEVDCI）

1Israel moved from there to the hills of Moab, where they camped across the Jordan River from the town of Jericho.

King Balak of Moab Hires Balaam To Curse Israel

2-3When King Balak of Moab and his people heard how many Israelites there were and what they had done to the Amorites, he and the Moabites were terrified and panicked.

4They said to the Midianite leaders, “That huge mob of Israelites will wipe out everything in sight, like a bull eating grass in a field.”

So King Balak

5

33If your donkey had not seen me and stopped those three times, I would have killed you and let the donkey live.”

34Balaam replied, “I was wrong. I didn't know you were trying to stop me. If you don't think I should go, I'll return home at once.”

35“It's all right for you to go,” the Lord's angel answered. “But you must say only what I tell you.” So Balaam went on with Balak's officials.

King Balak Meets Balaam

36When Balak heard that Balaam was coming, he went to meet him at the town of Ir on the Arnon River, which is the northern border of Moab.

37Balak asked, “Why didn't you come when I invited you the first time? Did you think I wasn't going to pay you?”

38“I'm here now,” Balaam answered. “But I will say only what God tells me to say.”

39They left and went to the town of Kiriath-Huzoth,

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

41The next morning, Balak took Balaam to the town of Bamoth-Baal. From there, Balaam could see some of the Israelites.