民數記 22
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Traditional)
摩押王召巴蘭
22 以色列人繼續前行，抵達約旦河東岸的摩押平原，在耶利哥對面安營。 2 西撥的兒子摩押王巴勒及其人民得知以色列人殺敗了亞摩利人， 3 又見他們人多勢眾，都驚恐萬狀， 4 對米甸的長老說：「這群人將吞掉我們周圍的一切，如同牛吃光田間的草一樣。」那時，西撥的兒子巴勒做摩押王。 5 他差遣使者到幼發拉底河附近的毗奪——比珥的兒子巴蘭的家鄉，去召巴蘭。他讓使者帶去的信息是：「有一個民族從埃及鋪天蓋地而來，就住在我對面。 6 他們比我強大，求你為我咒詛他們。這樣，我也許就能擊敗他們，把他們趕走。我知道你祝福誰，誰就蒙福；你咒詛誰，誰就遭禍。」
7 摩押和米甸的長老們帶著占卜的禮金去見巴蘭，把巴勒的話轉告他。 8 巴蘭說：「你們今夜住在這裡，我必照耶和華的旨意回覆你們。」摩押的使臣就在巴蘭那裡住下。 9 晚上，上帝來問巴蘭：「住在你這裡的是誰？」 10 巴蘭回答說：「他們是摩押王西撥的兒子巴勒派來的使臣， 11 前來告訴我說，『有一個民族從埃及鋪天蓋地而來。請你去咒詛那民族，這樣巴勒王或許能擊敗他們，把他們趕走。』」 12 上帝對巴蘭說：「你不可跟他們去，也不可咒詛那民族，因為那民族是蒙福的。」
13 第二天清早，巴蘭對巴勒的使臣說：「你們回去吧，耶和華不准我跟你們去。」 14 摩押的使臣回去對巴勒說：「巴蘭不肯跟我們來。」 15 巴勒又派去更多、更尊貴的使臣。 16 他們到了巴蘭那裡，對他說：「西撥的兒子巴勒請你務必去一趟， 17 他必有重賞。你要什麼都可以，只求你去為他咒詛那民族。」 18 巴蘭回答說：「巴勒就是把他滿屋的金銀都給我，我也不能在任何事上違背我的上帝耶和華的命令。 19 你們可以在這裡過夜，看看耶和華對我還有什麼吩咐。」 20 當夜，上帝來對巴蘭說：「這些人既然來請你，你就跟他們去吧，但你只可照我說的做。」 21 巴蘭清早起來，備好驢，跟摩押的使臣去了。
上帝攔阻巴蘭
22 巴蘭這一去，激怒了上帝。巴蘭騎著驢，帶著兩個僕人正走在途中，耶和華的天使攔住他的去路。 23 驢看見耶和華的天使持刀攔在路上，就離開大路，跑進田間。巴蘭鞭打牠，要牠回到路上。 24 耶和華的天使又站在葡萄園之間的一條窄路上，兩邊都是牆。 25 驢看見耶和華的天使，就靠著牆邊走，將巴蘭的腳擠傷了。巴蘭又鞭打牠。 26 耶和華的天使又走到前面，站在狹窄之處，兩邊都無側身通過的餘地。 27 驢看見耶和華的天使，就臥在地上，巴蘭大怒，便用杖打牠。 28 耶和華使驢開口對巴蘭說：「我做錯了什麼，你竟打我三次！」 29 巴蘭說：「因為你戲弄我。如果我手中有刀，早就把你宰了！」 30 驢對巴蘭說：「我是你從小就騎的驢，我可曾這樣對你？」巴蘭說：「沒有。」
31 那時，耶和華開了巴蘭的眼，他才看見耶和華的天使持刀攔在路上，便俯伏在地。 32 耶和華的天使對他說：「你為何三次打你的驢？我特意來阻擋你，因為你走的路在我眼中是邪路。 33 你的驢看見我，一連躲避了三次，驢若沒有躲開，我早已殺了你，只放過驢。」 34 巴蘭對耶和華的天使說：「我有罪了，我不知道是你攔在路上。如果你反對我去，我就回去。」 35 耶和華的天使說：「跟這些人去吧，但你只許按我的指示說話。」於是，巴蘭跟巴勒的使臣去了。
36 巴勒聽見巴蘭來了，就來到邊界盡頭、亞嫩河邊的摩押城迎接他。 37 巴勒對巴蘭說：「上次派人請你，你為何不肯來？難道我不能給你重賞嗎？」 38 巴蘭說：「現在我已經來了，但我不能隨便發言，只能按上帝的指示說話。」 39 巴蘭和巴勒一同來到基列·胡瑣。 40 巴勒宰牛殺羊賞給巴蘭和隨行的臣僕。 41 次日清晨，巴勒領巴蘭上到巴力巴末[a]，從那裡可以看到一部分以色列人。
Footnotes
- 22·41 「巴力巴末」希伯來文是「巴力的高崗」之意。
民数记 22
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Simplified)
摩押王召巴兰
22 以色列人继续前行，抵达约旦河东岸的摩押平原，在耶利哥对面安营。 2 西拨的儿子摩押王巴勒及其人民得知以色列人杀败了亚摩利人， 3 又见他们人多势众，都惊恐万状， 4 对米甸的长老说：“这群人将吞掉我们周围的一切，如同牛吃光田间的草一样。”那时，西拨的儿子巴勒做摩押王。 5 他差遣使者到幼发拉底河附近的毗夺——比珥的儿子巴兰的家乡，去召巴兰。他让使者带去的信息是：“有一个民族从埃及铺天盖地而来，就住在我对面。 6 他们比我强大，求你为我咒诅他们。这样，我也许就能击败他们，把他们赶走。我知道你祝福谁，谁就蒙福；你咒诅谁，谁就遭祸。”
7 摩押和米甸的长老们带着占卜的礼金去见巴兰，把巴勒的话转告他。 8 巴兰说：“你们今夜住在这里，我必照耶和华的旨意回复你们。”摩押的使臣就在巴兰那里住下。 9 晚上，上帝来问巴兰：“住在你这里的是谁？” 10 巴兰回答说：“他们是摩押王西拨的儿子巴勒派来的使臣， 11 前来告诉我说，‘有一个民族从埃及铺天盖地而来。请你去咒诅那民族，这样巴勒王或许能击败他们，把他们赶走。’” 12 上帝对巴兰说：“你不可跟他们去，也不可咒诅那民族，因为那民族是蒙福的。”
13 第二天清早，巴兰对巴勒的使臣说：“你们回去吧，耶和华不准我跟你们去。” 14 摩押的使臣回去对巴勒说：“巴兰不肯跟我们来。” 15 巴勒又派去更多、更尊贵的使臣。 16 他们到了巴兰那里，对他说：“西拨的儿子巴勒请你务必去一趟， 17 他必有重赏。你要什么都可以，只求你去为他咒诅那民族。” 18 巴兰回答说：“巴勒就是把他满屋的金银都给我，我也不能在任何事上违背我的上帝耶和华的命令。 19 你们可以在这里过夜，看看耶和华对我还有什么吩咐。” 20 当夜，上帝来对巴兰说：“这些人既然来请你，你就跟他们去吧，但你只可照我说的做。” 21 巴兰清早起来，备好驴，跟摩押的使臣去了。
上帝拦阻巴兰
22 巴兰这一去，激怒了上帝。巴兰骑着驴，带着两个仆人正走在途中，耶和华的天使拦住他的去路。 23 驴看见耶和华的天使持刀拦在路上，就离开大路，跑进田间。巴兰鞭打它，要它回到路上。 24 耶和华的天使又站在葡萄园之间的一条窄路上，两边都是墙。 25 驴看见耶和华的天使，就靠着墙边走，将巴兰的脚挤伤了。巴兰又鞭打它。 26 耶和华的天使又走到前面，站在狭窄之处，两边都无侧身通过的余地。 27 驴看见耶和华的天使，就卧在地上，巴兰大怒，便用杖打它。 28 耶和华使驴开口对巴兰说：“我做错了什么，你竟打我三次！” 29 巴兰说：“因为你戏弄我。如果我手中有刀，早就把你宰了！” 30 驴对巴兰说：“我是你从小就骑的驴，我可曾这样对你？”巴兰说：“没有。”
31 那时，耶和华开了巴兰的眼，他才看见耶和华的天使持刀拦在路上，便俯伏在地。 32 耶和华的天使对他说：“你为何三次打你的驴？我特意来阻挡你，因为你走的路在我眼中是邪路。 33 你的驴看见我，一连躲避了三次，驴若没有躲开，我早已杀了你，只放过驴。” 34 巴兰对耶和华的天使说：“我有罪了，我不知道是你拦在路上。如果你反对我去，我就回去。” 35 耶和华的天使说：“跟这些人去吧，但你只许按我的指示说话。”于是，巴兰跟巴勒的使臣去了。
36 巴勒听见巴兰来了，就来到边界尽头、亚嫩河边的摩押城迎接他。 37 巴勒对巴兰说：“上次派人请你，你为何不肯来？难道我不能给你重赏吗？” 38 巴兰说：“现在我已经来了，但我不能随便发言，只能按上帝的指示说话。” 39 巴兰和巴勒一同来到基列·胡琐。 40 巴勒宰牛杀羊赏给巴兰和随行的臣仆。 41 次日清晨，巴勒领巴兰上到巴力巴末[a]，从那里可以看到一部分以色列人。
Footnotes
- 22:41 “巴力巴末”希伯来文是“巴力的高岗”之意。
Numbers 22
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Chapter 22
1 Then the Israelites moved on and encamped in the plains of Moab[a] on the other side of the Jordan opposite Jericho.
Balaam Summoned. 2 Now Balak, son of Zippor, saw all that Israel did to the Amorites, 3 and Moab feared the Israelites greatly because they were numerous. Moab was in dread of the Israelites. 4 So Moab said to the elders of Midian, “Now this horde will devour everything around us as an ox devours the grass of the field.” At that time Balak, son of Zippor, was king of Moab; 5 and he sent messengers to Balaam, son of Beor, at Pethor on the river, in the land of the Ammonites,[b] to summon him with these words, “A people has come out of Egypt! They have covered up the earth and are settling down opposite me! 6 Now come, curse this people for me,[c] since they are stronger than I am. Perhaps I may 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 So the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian, themselves experts in divination,[d] left and went to Balaam, to whom they gave Balak’s message. 8 He said to them, “Stay here overnight, and I will give you whatever answer the Lord gives me.” So the princes of Moab lodged with Balaam.
9 Then God came to Balaam and said: Who are these men with you? 10 Balaam answered God, “Balak, son of Zippor, king of Moab, sent me the message: 11 ‘This people that has come out of Egypt has covered up the earth. Now come, lay a curse on them for me; perhaps I may be able to fight them and drive them out.’” 12 But God said to Balaam: Do not go with them and do not curse this people, for they are blessed. 13 The next morning Balaam arose and told the princes of Balak, “Go back to your own country, for the Lord has refused to let me go with you.” 14 So the princes of Moab went back to Balak with the report, “Balaam refused to come with us.”
Second Appeal to Balaam. 15 Balak yet again sent princes, who were more numerous and more distinguished than the others. 16 On coming to Balaam they told him, “Thus says Balak, son of Zippor: Please do not refuse to come to me. 17 I will reward you very handsomely and will do anything you ask of me. Come, lay a curse on this people for me.” 18 (A)But Balaam replied to Balak’s servants, “Even if Balak gave me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything, small or great, contrary to the command of the Lord, my God. 19 But, you too stay here overnight, so that I may learn what else the Lord may say to me.” 20 That night God came to Balaam and said to him: If these men have come to summon you, go back with them; yet only on the condition that you do exactly as I tell you. 21 So the next morning when Balaam arose, he saddled his donkey,[e] and went off with the princes of Moab.
The Talking Donkey. 22 But now God’s anger flared up[f] at him for going, and the angel of the Lord took up a position on the road as his adversary. As Balaam was riding along on his donkey, accompanied by two of his servants, 23 the donkey saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road with sword drawn. The donkey turned off the road and went into the field, and Balaam beat the donkey to bring her back on the road. 24 Then the angel of the Lord stood in a narrow lane between vineyards with a stone wall on each side. 25 When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord there, she pressed against the wall; and since she squeezed Balaam’s leg against the wall, he beat her again. 26 Then the angel of the Lord again went ahead, and stood next in a passage so narrow that there was no room to move either to the right or to the left. 27 When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord there, she lay down under Balaam. Balaam’s anger flared up and he beat the donkey with his stick.
28 (B)Then the Lord opened the mouth of the donkey, and she asked Balaam, “What have I done to you that you beat me these three times?” 29 “You have acted so willfully against me,” said Balaam to the donkey, “that if I only had a sword at hand, I would kill you here and now.” 30 But the donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your donkey, on which you have always ridden until now? Have I been in the habit of treating you this way before?” “No,” he replied.
31 Then the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, so that he saw the angel of the Lord standing on the road with sword drawn; and he knelt and bowed down to the ground. 32 But the angel of the Lord said to him: “Why have you beaten your donkey these three times? I have come as an adversary because this rash journey of yours is against my will. 33 When the donkey saw me, she turned away from me these three times. If she had not turned away from me, you are the one I would have killed, though I would have spared her.” 34 Then Balaam said to the angel of the Lord, “I have sinned. Yet I did not know that you took up a position to oppose my journey. Since it has displeased you, I will go back home.” 35 But the angel of the Lord said to Balaam: “Go with the men; but you may say only what I tell you.” So Balaam went on with the princes of Balak.
36 When Balak heard that Balaam was coming, he went out to meet him at Ar-Moab on the border formed by the Arnon, at its most distant point. 37 And Balak said to Balaam, “Did I not send an urgent summons to you? Why did you not come to me? Did you think I could not reward you?” 38 Balaam answered Balak, “Well, I have come to you after all. But what power have I to say anything? I can speak only what God puts in my mouth.” 39 Then Balaam went with Balak, and they came to Kiriath-huzoth. 40 Here Balak sacrificed oxen and sheep, and sent portions to Balaam and to the princes who were with him.
The First Oracle. 41 The next morning Balak took Balaam up on Bamoth-baal, and from there he could see some of the people.
Footnotes
- 22:1 The plains of Moab: the lowlands to the northeast of the Dead Sea, between the Jordan and the foothills below Mount Nebo. Here the Israelites remained until they crossed the Jordan, according to Jos 1–4. Jericho lay to the west of the Jordan.
- 22:5 In the land of the Ammonites: the translation rests on a slight emendation of the traditional Hebrew text in accordance with the tradition represented by the Vulgate. While Pethor remains unidentified, this verse supports an identification of Balaam’s homeland in the Transjordan (cf. the Deir ‘Alla Inscriptions), over against other traditions in the text which connect Balaam with Syria (23:7; Dt 23:5).
- 22:6 Curse this people for me: Balak believed that Balaam, known in the tradition as a diviner (cf. Jos 13:22), could utter a curse upon Israel which would come to pass.
- 22:7 Experts in divination: lit., “divination was in their hand,” i.e., “in their possession”; cf. Ezr 7:25.
- 22:21 Donkey: technically a she-donkey; Heb. aton.
- 22:22 God’s anger flared up: God’s apparent change of mind became a source of much speculation in the tradition. So, for example, God was angry, not merely because Balaam was going to Balak, for he had God’s permission for the journey (v. 20), but perhaps because he was tempted by greed to curse Israel against God’s command (cf. 2 Pt 2:15; Jude 11; compare Nm 22:32). Adversary: Heb. satan; see also v. 32; cf. 1 Sm 29:4; 2 Sm 19:22; 1 Kgs 11; Jb 1–2; Ps 109:6; Zec 3:1–2; 1 Chr 21:1.
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