Num 22:3-11 | NASB1995 | STEP | So Moab was in great fear because of the people , for they were numerous ; and Moab was in dread of the sons of Israel .

Numbers 22:3-11

3 ^aSo Moab was in great fear because of the people, for they were numerous; and Moab was in dread of the sons of Israel. 4 Moab said to the elders of ^bMidian, “Now this ^{▼▼ Lit assembly}horde will lick up all that is around us, as the ox licks up the grass of the field.” And Balak the son of Zippor was king of Moab at that time. 5 So he sent messengers to ^dBalaam the son of Beor, at ^ePethor, which is near the ^{▼▼ I.e. Euphrates}River, in the land of the sons of his people, to call him, saying, “Behold, a people came out of Egypt; behold, they cover the surface of the land, and they are living opposite me. 6 ^g“Now, therefore, please come, ^hcurse this people for me since they are too ^{▼▼ Or numerous}mighty for me; perhaps I may be able to ^{▼▼ Lit smite}defeat them and drive them out of the land. For I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed.”

7 So the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the fees for ^kdivination in their hand; and they came to Balaam and ^{▼▼ Lit spoke}repeated Balak’s words to him. 8 He said to them, “Spend the night here, and I will bring word back to you as the Lord may speak to me.” And the leaders of Moab stayed with Balaam. 9 Then ^mGod came to Balaam and said, “Who are these men with you?” 10 Balaam said to God, “Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, has sent word to me, 11 ‘Behold, there is a people who came out of Egypt and they cover the surface of the land; now come, curse them for me; perhaps I may be able to fight against them and drive them out.’”