“A people has come out of Egypt;^(C) they cover the face of the land and have settled next to me. ⁶ Now come and put a curse^(D) on these people, because they are too powerful for me. Perhaps then I will be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land.^(E) For I know that whoever you bless is blessed, and whoever you curse is cursed.”

“This is what Balak son of Zippor says: Do not let anything keep you from coming to me, ¹⁷ because I will reward you handsomely^(A) and do whatever you say. Come and put a curse^(B) on these people for me.”