⁵ Then ^(A)he sent messengers to Balaam the son of Beor at ^(B)Pethor, which is near ^[a]the River in the land of ^[b]the sons of his people, to call him, saying: “Look, a people has come from Egypt. See, they cover the face of the earth, and are settling next to me!

^6 (A)Therefore please come at once, ^(B)curse this people for me, for they are too mighty for me. Perhaps I shall be able to 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 And he ^(A)took up his ^[a]oracle and said:

⁹ Then ^(A)Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose to make war against Israel, and ^(B)sent and called Balaam the son of Beor to curse you.

¹⁵ They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of ^(A)Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;