⁷ And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand, and they came unto Balaam and spoke unto him the words of Balak.

⁸ And he said unto them, “Lodge here this night, and I will bring you word back, as the Lord shall speak unto me.” And the princes of Moab stayed with Balaam.

⁹ And God came unto Balaam and said, “What men are these with thee?”

¹⁰ And Balaam said unto God, “Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, hath sent unto me, saying,

¹¹ ‘Behold, there is a people come out of Egypt, who covereth the face of the earth. Come now, curse them for me. Perhaps I shall be able to overcome them and drive them out.’”

¹² And God said unto Balaam, “Thou shalt not go with them. Thou shalt not curse the people, for they are blessed.”

¹³ And Balaam rose up in the morning and said unto the princes of Balak, “Get you into your land, for the Lord refuseth to give me leave to go with you.”

¹⁴ And the princes of Moab rose up, and they went unto Balak and said, “Balaam refuseth to come with us.”