Balak and Balaam

22 The Israelites^[a] set out, and they encamped on the desert-plateau of Moab, across from Jericho beyond the Jordan. ² Balak son of Zippor saw all that Israel did to the Amorites,^{[b] 3} and Moab was very terrified in the presence of the people because they^[c] were numerous; and Moab dreaded the presence of the Israelites.^{[d] 4} And Moab said to the elders of Midian, “Now the crowd will lick up all around us, like a bull devours the grass of the field.” And Balak son of Zippor was king of Moab at that time. ⁵ He sent messengers to Balaam son of Beor at Pethor, which is by the river,^[e] in the land of the children of his people, to summon him, saying, “Look! A people went out from Egypt. Look! They cover the surface of the land;^[f] they are about to dwell opposite me. ⁶ Now, please go, curse this people for me because they^[g] are stronger than me; perhaps I will be able to strike them^[h] and drive them^[i] out from the land because I know whoever you bless is blessed, and whoever you cursed is cursed.”