⁷ So the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian went away with the fees for ^(A)divination in their hand; and they came to Balaam and spoke Balak’s words to him. ⁸ And he said to them, “Spend the night here, and I will bring word back to you as Yahweh may speak to me.” And the leaders of Moab stayed with Balaam. ⁹ Then ^(B)God came to Balaam and said, “Who are these men with you?” ¹⁰ And 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.’” ¹² And God said to Balaam, “Do not go with them; ^(C)you shall not curse the people, for they ^(D)are blessed.” ¹³ So Balaam arose in the morning and said to Balak’s leaders, “Go back to your land, for Yahweh has refused to allow me to go with you.” ¹⁴ And the leaders of Moab arose and came to Balak and said, “Balaam refused to go with us.”