TRV
Balak Summons Balaam
Numbers 22:5-14
5
he sent messengers to Balaam son of Beor at Pethor, which is by the Euphrates in the land of his people. “Behold, a people has come out of Egypt,” said Balak. “They cover the face of the land and have settled next to me.
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So please come now and put a curse on this people, because they are too mighty for me. Perhaps I may be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land; for I know that those you bless are blessed, and those you curse are cursed.”
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The elders of Moab and Midian departed with the fees for divination in hand. They came to Balaam and relayed to him the words of Balak.
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“Spend the night here,” Balaam replied, “and I will give you the answer that the LORD speaks to me.” So the princes of Moab stayed with Balaam.
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Then God came to Balaam and asked, “Who are these men with you?”
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And Balaam said to God, “Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab, sent me this message:
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‘Behold, a people has come out of Egypt, and they cover the face of the land. Now come and put a curse on them for me. Perhaps I may be able to fight against them and drive them away.’”
12
But God said to Balaam, “Do not go with them. You are not to curse this people, for they are blessed.”
13
So Balaam got up the next morning and said to Balak’s princes, “Go back to your homeland, because the LORD has refused to let me go with you.”
14
And the princes of Moab arose, returned to Balak, and said, “Balaam refused to come with us.”
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