Balak Hires Balaam
1 And the children of Israel set forward, and pitched in the plains of Moab on this side Jordan by Jericho.
1 (A)Then the sons of Israel journeyed, and camped in the plains of Moab beyond the Jordan opposite Jericho.
1 The Israelites traveled on and camped in the plains of Moab near the Jordan across from Jericho.
1 The Israelis continued their travels, eventually encamping on the plains of Moab beside the Jordan River opposite Jericho.
1 The Israelites journeyed, and camped in the plains of Moab, on the east side of the Jordan [River] across from Jericho.
3 And Moab was sore afraid of the people, because they were many: and Moab was distressed because of the children of Israel.
3 (C)So Moab was in great fear because of the people, for they were numerous; and Moab was in dread of the sons of Israel.
3 Moab was terrified of the people because they were numerous, and Moab dreaded the Israelites.
3 As a result, Moab greatly feared the people, because they were so numerous. Because a sense of impending doom was afflicting the Moabites as they faced the Israelis,
3 So Moab was terrified because of the people, for they were numerous. Moab was overcome with fear because of the sons of Israel.
King Balak Of Moab Hires Balaam To Curse Israel
4 And Moab said unto the elders of Midian, Now shall this company lick up all that are round about us, as the ox licketh up the grass of the field. And Balak the son of Zippor was king of the Moabites at that time.
4 Moab said to the elders of (D)Midian, “Now this (a)horde will lick up all that is around us, as the ox licks up the grass of the field.” And Balak the son of Zippor was king of Moab at that time.
4 So the Moabites said to the elders of Midian, “This horde will devour everything around us like an ox eats up the green plants in the field.”Since Balak son of Zippor was Moab’s king at that time,
4 the Moabites told the elders of Midian, "This horde of people is about to lick up everything around us, like an ox licks up the green ground."
4 Moab said to the elders of Midian, “Now this horde will lick up all that is around us, just as the ox licks up the grass of the field.” And Balak the son of Zippor was the king of Moab at that time.
5 He sent messengers therefore unto Balaam the son of Beor to Pethor, which is by the river of the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying, Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt: behold, they cover the face of the earth, and they abide over against me:
5 So he sent messengers to (E)Balaam the son of Beor, at (F)Pethor, which is near the (b)River, in the land of the sons of his people, to call him, saying, “Behold, a people came out of Egypt; behold, they cover the surface of the land, and they are living opposite me.
5 he sent messengers to Balaam(B) son of Beor at Pethor, which is by the Euphrates in the land of his people.(a)(b) Balak said to him: “Look, a people has come out of Egypt; they cover the surface of the land and are living right across from me.
5 At that time, Zippor's son Balak was the king of Moab. He sent messengers to Beor's son Balaam in Pethor, near the Euphrates River, the land where the descendants of his people originated, to summon his aid. He said, "Look! A group of people have escaped from Egypt. They cover the surface of the whole earth, and are sitting here right in front of me.
5 So he sent messengers to (a)Balaam [a famous prophet-diviner] the son of Beor at Pethor, which is by the [Euphrates] River, in the land of the descendants of his people, to call for him, saying, “There is a people who have come out of Egypt; behold, they cover the surface of the land, and they are living opposite me.
6 Come now therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people; for they are too mighty for me: peradventure I shall prevail, that we may smite them, and that I may drive them out of the land: for I wot that he whom thou blessest is blessed, and he whom thou cursest is cursed.
6 (G)Now, therefore, please come, (H)curse this people for me since they are too (c)mighty for me; perhaps I may be able to (d)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.”
6 Please come and put a curse on these people for me because they are more powerful than I am. I may be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land, for I know that those you bless are blessed and those you curse are cursed.”
6 So come right now and curse this people for me, because there are too many of them for me to handle. Perhaps I'll be able to strike them down and drive them out of the land, since I know that whomever you bless is blessed and whomever you curse is cursed."
6 Now please come, curse these people for me, for they are too powerful for me; perhaps I will be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land. For I know [your reputation] that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed.”
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 spake unto him the words of Balak.
7 So the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the fees for (I)divination in their hand; and they came to Balaam and (e)repeated Balak’s words to him.
7 The elders of Moab and Midian departed with fees for divination in hand.(C) They came to Balaam and reported Balak’s words to him.
7 So the elders of Moab and Midian left to visit Balaam, bringing an honorarium with them, and communicated Balak's concerns to him.
7 So the elders of Moab and of Midian departed with fees for divination (foretelling) in hand; and they came to Balaam and told him the words of Balak.
8 And he said unto them, Lodge here this night, and I will bring you word again, as the LORD shall speak unto me: and the princes of Moab abode with Balaam.
8 He said to them, “Spend the night here, and I will bring word back to you as the Lord may speak to me.” And the leaders of Moab stayed with Balaam.
8 He said to them, “Spend the night here, and I will give you the answer the Lord tells me.” So the officials of Moab stayed with Balaam.
8 In answer, Balaam told them, "Stay here for the night and I'll bring back a message to you, depending on what the LORD says to me." So the officers of Moab stayed with Balaam overnight.
8 Balaam said to them, “Spend the night here and I will bring word back to you as the Lord may speak to me.” So the leaders of Moab stayed with Balaam [that night].
10 And Balaam said unto God, Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, hath sent unto me, saying,
10 Balaam said to God, “Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, has sent word to me,
10 Balaam replied to God, “Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab, sent this message to me:
10 Then Balaam told God, "Zippor's son Balak, king of Moab, sent them to me and said,
10 Balaam said to God, “Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, has sent word to me:
11 Behold, there is a people come out of Egypt, which covereth the face of the earth: come now, curse me them; peradventure I shall be able to overcome them, and drive them out.
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.’”
11 ‘Look, a people has come out of Egypt, and they cover the surface of the land. Now come and put a curse on them for me. I may be able to fight against them and drive them away.’”
11 "Look! A group of people have escaped from Egypt. They cover the surface of the whole earth! So come right now and curse them for me. Perhaps I'll be able to fight against them and drive them out.'"
11 ‘Hear this, the people who came out of Egypt cover the surface of the land; come now, curse them for me. Perhaps I may be able to fight against 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.
12 God said to Balaam, “Do not go with them; (K)you shall not curse the people, for they (L)are blessed.”
12 Then God said to Balaam, “You are not to go with them. You are not to curse this people, for they are blessed.”
12 But God told Balaam, "Don't go with them. Don't curse the people, because they're blessed."
12 God said to Balaam, “Do not go with them; you shall not curse the people [of Israel], 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.
13 So Balaam arose in the morning and said to Balak’s leaders, “Go back to your land, for the Lord has refused to let me go with you.”
13 So Balaam got up the next morning and said to Balak’s officials, “Go back to your land, because the Lord has refused to let me go with you.”
13 So Balaam got up the next morning and told Balak's officials, "Go back to your homeland, because the LORD has refused me permission to go with you."
13 Balaam got up in the morning, and said to the leaders of Balak, “Go back to your own land [of Moab], for the Lord has refused to let me go with you.”
14 And the princes of Moab rose up, and they went unto Balak, and said, Balaam refuseth to come with us.
14 The leaders of Moab arose and went to Balak and said, “Balaam refused to come with us.”
14 The officials of Moab arose, returned to Balak, and reported, “Balaam refused to come with us.”
14 So Balak's officials got up, returned to Balak and reported, "Balaam refused to come with us."
14 The leaders of Moab arose and went to Balak, and said, “Balaam refused to come with us.”
Balaam Accompanies The Moabite Princes
15 And Balak sent yet again princes, more, and more honourable than they.
15 Balak sent officials again who were more numerous and higher in rank than the others.
15 In response, Balak sent more officers higher ranking ones, at that!
15 Then Balak again sent leaders, more numerous and [men who were] more distinguished than the first ones.
16 And they came to Balaam, and said to him, Thus saith Balak the son of Zippor, Let nothing, I pray thee, hinder thee from coming unto me:
16 They came to Balaam and said to him, “Thus says Balak the son of Zippor, ‘Let nothing, I beg you, hinder you from coming to me;
16 They came to Balaam and said to him, “This is what Balak son of Zippor says: ‘Let nothing keep you from coming to me,
16 who approached Balaam with this message: "This is what Zippor's son Balak says: "Don't let anything get in the way of your coming to me.
16 They came to Balaam, and said to him, “Thus says Balak the son of Zippor, ‘I beg you, let nothing hinder you from coming to me.
17 For I will promote thee unto very great honour, and I will do whatsoever thou sayest unto me: come therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people.
17 for I will indeed honor you richly, and I will do whatever you say to me. (M)Please come then, curse this people for me.’”
17 for I will greatly honor you and do whatever you ask me. So please come and put a curse on these people for me!’”
17 I'm determined to reward you generously, and I'll do everything you tell me to do. So come right away and curse this people for me.'"
17 For I will give you a very great honor and I will do whatever you tell me; so please come, curse these people [of Israel] for me.’”
18 And Balaam answered and said unto the servants of Balak, If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the LORD my God, to do less or more.
18 Balaam replied to the servants of Balak, “(N)Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything, either small or great, contrary to the (g)command of the Lord my God.
18 But Balaam responded to the servants of Balak, “If Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go against the command of the Lord my God to do anything small or great.
18 Balaam responded to Balak's entourage by saying, "Even if Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I won't double-cross the command of the LORD my God in even the slightest way.
18 Balaam answered the servants of Balak, “Even if Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything, either small or great, contrary to the command of the Lord my God.
19 Now therefore, I pray you, tarry ye also here this night, that I may know what the LORD will say unto me more.
19 Now please, you also stay here tonight, and I will find out what else the Lord will speak to me.”
19 Please stay here overnight as the others did, so that I may find out what else the Lord has to tell me.”
19 Meanwhile, stay here overnight so I may learn what the LORD might say to me."
19 Now please, you also stay here tonight, and I will find out what else the Lord will say to me.”
20 And God came unto Balaam at night, and said unto him, If the men come to call thee, rise up, and go with them; but yet the word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou do.
20 God came to Balaam at night and said to him, “If the men have come to call you, rise up and go with them; but (O)only the word which I speak to you shall you do.”
20 God came to Balaam at night and said to him, “Since these men have come to summon you, get up and go with them, but you must only do what I tell you.”
20 God came to visit Balaam that same night and told him, "If the men come to call on you, get up and go with them, but be sure to do only what I tell you to do."
20 God came to Balaam at night and said to him, “If the men have come to call you, get up and go with them, but you shall still do only what I tell you.”
Balaam's Journey To Moab
21 And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab.
21 When he got up in the morning, Balaam saddled his donkey and went with the officials of Moab.
21 The next morning, Balaam got up, saddled his donkey, and started to leave, accompanied by the Moabite officials.
Balaam And The Angel
22 And God's anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the LORD stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him.
22 But God was angry because he was going, (Q)and the angel of the Lord took his stand in the way as an adversary against him. Now he was riding on his donkey and his two servants were with him.
22 But God was incensed that Balaam was going, and the Angel of the Lord took His stand on the path to oppose him. Balaam was riding his donkey, and his two servants were with him.
22 At this, the anger of the LORD flared up against Balaam, because he was leaving. So the angel of the LORD stood in the way to oppose him. As Balaam was riding his donkey, accompanied by two of his servants,
23 And the ass saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way.
23 When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way with his drawn sword in his hand, the donkey turned off from the way and went into the field; but Balaam struck the donkey to turn her back into the way.
23 When the donkey saw the Angel of the Lord standing on the path with a drawn sword in His hand, she turned off the path and went into the field. So Balaam hit her to return her to the path.
23 all of a sudden the donkey saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, with an unsheathed sword in his hand! The donkey turned off the road and went into an open field. Balaam started beating the donkey in order to turn her back to the road,
23 When the donkey saw the Angel of the Lord standing in the way and His drawn sword in His hand, the donkey turned off the path and went into the field; but Balaam struck the donkey to turn her back toward the path.
24 But the angel of the LORD stood in a path of the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side.
24 Then the angel of the Lord stood in a narrow path of the vineyards, with a wall on this side and a wall on that side.
24 Then the Angel of the Lord stood in a narrow passage between the vineyards, with a stone wall on either side.
24 but the angel of the LORD stood on a narrow path that crossed the vineyards. It had walls on both sides of the path.
24 But the Angel of the Lord stood in a narrow path of the vineyards, with a [stone] wall on this side and a [stone] wall on that side.
25 And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall: and he smote her again.
25 When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, she pressed herself to the wall and pressed Balaam’s foot against the wall, so he struck her again.
25 The donkey saw the Angel of the Lord and pressed herself against the wall, squeezing Balaam’s foot against it. So he hit her once again.
25 When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she squeezed herself so close to the wall that Balaam's foot was pressed to the wall. So he beat her again!
25 When the donkey saw the Angel of the Lord, she pressed herself against the wall and crushed Balaam’s foot against it, and he struck her again.
26 And the angel of the LORD went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left.
26 The angel of the Lord went further, and stood in a narrow place where there was no way to turn to the right hand or the left.
26 The Angel of the Lord went ahead and stood in a narrow place where there was no room to turn to the right or the left.
26 Then the angel of the LORD went along a little further and stood in a much narrower space, where it was impossible to turn either right or left.
26 The Angel of the Lord went further, and stood in a narrow place where there was no room to turn, either to the right or to the left.
27 And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she fell down under Balaam: and Balaam's anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff.
27 When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, she lay down under Balaam; so (R)Balaam was angry and struck the donkey with his stick.
27 When the donkey saw the Angel of the Lord, she crouched down under Balaam. So he became furious and beat the donkey with his stick.
27 When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she crouched down under Balaam. As a result, Balaam got so angry that he started to whip the donkey with his staff.
27 When the donkey saw the Angel of the Lord, she lay down under Balaam, so Balaam was angry and he struck the donkey [a third time] with his staff.
28 And the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?
28 And (S)the Lord opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?”
28 Then the Lord opened the donkey’s mouth, and she asked Balaam, “What have I done to you that you have beaten me these three times?”(D)
28 That's when the LORD enabled the donkey to speak. She asked Balaam, "What did I do to you that you would beat me in the space of only three footsteps?"
28 And the Lord opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you that you have struck me these three times?”
29 And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee.
29 Then Balaam said to the donkey, “Because you have made a mockery of me! If there had been a sword in my hand, (T)I would have killed you by now.”
29 Balaam answered the donkey, “You made me look like a fool. If I had a sword in my hand, I’d kill you now!”
29 "Because you're playing a dirty trick on me," Balaam answered the donkey. "If only I had a sword in my hand! I'd kill you right now!"
29 Then Balaam said to the donkey, “Because you have made a mockery of me! If there had been a sword in my hand, I would have killed you by now!”
30 And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee? And he said, Nay.
30 The donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your donkey on which you have ridden all your life to this day? Have I ever been accustomed to do so to you?” And he said, “No.”
30 But the donkey said, “Am I not the donkey you’ve ridden all your life until today? Have I ever treated you this way before?”“No,” he replied.
30 But in response, the donkey asked Balaam, "I'm your donkey that you've ridden on in the past without incident, am I not, and I'm the same donkey you're riding on right now, am I not? Am I in the habit of treating you like this?" "No," he admitted.
30 The donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your donkey on which you have ridden all your life until this day? Have I ever been accustomed to do so to you?” And he said, “No.”
31 Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face.
31 Then the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw (U)the angel of the Lord standing in the way with his drawn sword in his hand; and he bowed (h)all the way to the ground.
31 Then the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the Angel of the Lord standing in the path with a drawn sword in His hand. Balaam knelt and bowed with his face to the ground.
31 Then the LORD enabled Balaam to see, so he observed the angel of the LORD standing in the way, with an unsheathed sword in his hand. So he bowed down and prostrated himself on his face.
31 Then the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the Angel of the Lord standing in the way with His drawn sword in His hand; and he bowed his head and lay himself face down.
32 And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me:
32 The angel of the Lord said to him, “Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out as an adversary, because your way was (i)(V)contrary to me.
32 The Angel of the Lord asked him, “Why have you beaten your donkey these three times? Look, I came out to oppose you, because what you are doing is evil in My sight.
32 Then the angel of the LORD asked him, "Why did you beat your donkey in the space of only three footsteps? I've come to oppose you, because I say that what you're doing is perverted.
32 The Angel of the Lord said to him, “Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out to stand against you, because your behavior was obstinate and contrary to Me.
33 And the ass saw me, and turned from me these three times: unless she had turned from me, surely now also I had slain thee, and saved her alive.
33 But the donkey saw me and turned aside from me these three times. If she had not turned aside from me, I would surely have killed you just now, and let her live.”
33 The donkey saw Me and turned away from Me these three times. If she had not turned away from Me, I would have killed you by now and let her live.”
33 The donkey saw me and turned in front of me in the space of those three footsteps.
33 The donkey saw Me and turned away from Me these three times. If she had not turned away from Me, I would have certainly killed you now, and let her live.”
34 And Balaam said unto the angel of the LORD, I have sinned; for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me: now therefore, if it displease thee, I will get me back again.
34 Balaam said to the angel of the Lord, “(W)I have sinned, for I did not know that you were standing in the way against me. Now then, if it is displeasing to you, I will turn back.”
34 Balaam said to the Angel of the Lord, “I have sinned, for I did not know that You were standing in the path to confront me. And now, if it is evil in Your sight, I will go back.”
34 If she hadn't turned away from me, I would have killed you by now and left her alive!" At this, Balaam replied to the angel of the LORD, "I've sinned! I didn't know that you were standing to meet me on the road. So now, since it displeases you, let me go back."
34 Balaam said to the Angel of the Lord, “I have sinned, for I did not know that You were standing in the way against me. But now, if my going displeases You, I will turn back.”
35 And the angel of the LORD said unto Balaam, Go with the men: but only the word that I shall speak unto thee, that thou shalt speak. So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.
35 But the angel of the Lord said to Balaam, “Go with the men, but (X)you shall speak only the word which I (j)tell you.” So Balaam went along with the leaders of Balak.
35 Then the Angel of the Lord said to Balaam, “Go with the men, but you are to say only what I tell you.” So Balaam went with Balak’s officials.
35 But the angel of the LORD told Balaam, "Go with the men, but deliver only the message that I'm going to give you." So Balaam went with Balak's officials.
35 The Angel of the Lord said to Balaam, “Go with the men, but you shall speak only what I tell you.” So Balaam went along with the leaders of Balak.
Balaam Meets Balak
36 And when Balak heard that Balaam was come, he went out to meet him unto a city of Moab, which is in the border of Arnon, which is in the utmost coast.
36 When Balak heard that Balaam was coming, he went out to meet him at the city of Moab, which is on the Arnon border, (k)at the extreme end of the border.
36 When Balak heard that Balaam was coming, he went out to meet him at the Moabite city(c) on the Arnon border at the edge of his territory.
36 When Balak heard that Balaam had arrived, he went out to meet him in the city of Moab on the border of Arnon at the extreme end of his territory.
36 When Balak heard that Balaam was coming, he went out to meet him at the city of Moab, which is on the border at the Arnon [River], at the farthest end of the border.
37 And Balak said unto Balaam, Did I not earnestly send unto thee to call thee? wherefore camest thou not unto me? am I not able indeed to promote thee to honour?
37 Then Balak said to Balaam, “Did I not urgently send to you to call you? Why did you not come to me? Am I really unable to honor you?”
37 Balak asked Balaam, “Did I not send you an urgent summons? Why didn’t you come to me? Am I really not able to reward you?”
37 Balak asked Balaam, "Didn't I repeatedly send for you to summon you? Why didn't you come to me? I can pay you well, can't I?"
37 Balak said to Balaam, “Did I not urgently send word to you to call you? Why did you not come to me [immediately]? Am I really unable to honor (pay) you?”
38 And Balaam said unto Balak, Lo, I am come unto thee: have I now any power at all to say any thing? the word that God putteth in my mouth, that shall I speak.
38 So Balaam said to Balak, “Behold, I have come now to you! (Y)Am I able to speak anything at all? The word that God puts in my mouth, that I shall speak.”
38 Balaam said to him, “Look, I have come to you, but can I say anything I want? I must speak only the message God puts in my mouth.”
38 Balaam answered Balak, "Well, I'm here now. I've come to you, but I can't just say anything, can I? I'll speak only what God puts in my mouth to say."
38 So Balaam said to Balak, “Indeed I have come to you now, but am I able to say anything at all? The word that God puts in my mouth, that I shall speak.”
40 And Balak offered oxen and sheep, and sent to Balaam, and to the princes that were with him.
40 Balak sacrificed oxen and sheep, and sent some to Balaam and the leaders who were with him.
40 Balak sacrificed cattle and sheep, and sent for Balaam and the officials who were with him.
40 where he sacrificed oxen and sheep.
40 Balak sacrificed oxen and sheep, and sent some to Balaam and to the leaders who were with him.
41 And it came to pass on the morrow, that Balak took Balaam, and brought him up into the high places of Baal, that thence he might see the utmost part of the people.
41 Then it came about in the morning that Balak took Balaam and brought him up to (l)(Z)the high places of Baal, and he saw from there (m)a (AA)portion of the people.
41 In the morning, Balak took Balaam and brought him to Bamoth-baal.(e) From there he saw the outskirts of the people’s camp.
41 The next day, Balak brought Balaam up to Bamoth-baal, where he could see part of the community of Israel.
41 Then it came about in the morning that Balak took Balaam and brought him up to the high places of Baal; from there he saw a portion of the Israelites.