When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, she crouched down under Balaam. Then Balaam was angry, and he beat his donkey with a staff.

So Balaam went with Balak, and they came to Kiriath-huzoth.

And God came to Balaam and said, “Who are these men with you?”

Balaam said to God, “Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab, has sent a message to me, saying,

So the princes of Moab departed ¹  and went back to Balak and said, “Balaam refused to come with us.”

So Balaam got up in the morning, saddled his donkey, and went with the princes of Moab.

So Balak did just as Balaam had said. Balak and Balaam then offered on each ¹  altar a bull and a ram.

Then the Lord put a message ¹  in Balaam’s mouth and said, “Return to Balak, and speak what I tell you.” ² 

Balak said to Balaam, “Neither curse them at all ¹  nor bless them at all!” ² 

So Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, that looks toward the wilderness. ¹ 

So Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered a bull and a ram on each altar.

Then he uttered this oracle: ¹  “The oracle ²  of Balaam son of Beor; the oracle of the man whose eyes are open; ³ 

Then he uttered this oracle: ¹  “The oracle of Balaam son of Beor; the oracle of the man whose eyes are open;

Balaam got up and departed and returned to his home, ¹  and Balak also went his way.

The Israelites killed Balaam son of Beor, the omen reader, ¹  along with the others. ² 

But the angel of the Lord said to Balaam, “Go with the men, but you may only speak ¹  the word that I will speak to you.” ²  So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.

Then Balak became very angry at Balaam, and he struck his hands together. ¹  Balak said to Balaam, “I called you to curse my enemies, and look, you have done nothing but bless ²  them these three times!

So the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the fee for divination in their hand. They came to Balaam and reported ¹  to him the words of Balak.

He replied to them, “Stay ¹  here tonight, and I will bring back to you whatever word the Lord may speak to me.” So the princes of Moab stayed with Balaam.

But God said to Balaam, “You must not go with them; you must not curse the people, ¹  for they are blessed.” ²