6 Come now therefore, I pray you, curse this people for me, for they are too mighty for me: perhaps I shall prevail, that we may strike them, and that I may 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 the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand, and they came to Balaam and spoke to him the words of Balak.
8 And he said to them, Stay here this night, and I will bring word again to you, as the LORD shall speak to me: and the princes of Moab stayed with Balaam.
9 And 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 to me, saying,
11 Look, a people has come out of Egypt, which covers 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 to Balaam, You shall not go with them; you shall not curse the people: for they are blessed.
13 And Balaam rose up in the morning, and said to the princes of Balak, Go back to your land: for the LORD refuses to let me go with you.
14 And the princes of Moab rose up, and they went to Balak and said, Balaam refuses to come with us.
15 And Balak sent yet again princes, more, and more honorable than they.
16 And they came to Balaam, and said to him, Thus says Balak the son of Zippor, Let nothing, I pray you, hinder you from coming to me:
17 For I will promote you to very great honor, and I will do whatever you say to me: come therefore, I pray you, curse this people for me.