5and he sendeth messengers unto Balaam son of Beor, to Pethor, which [is] by the River of the land of the sons of his people, to call for him, saying, `Lo, a people hath come out of Egypt; lo, it hath covered the eye of the land, and it is abiding over-against me;
6and now, come, I pray thee, curse for me this people, for it [is] mightier than I; it may be I prevail -- we smite it -- and I cast it out from the land; for I have known -- that which thou blessest is blessed, and that which thou cursest is cursed.`
7And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian go, and divinations in their hand, and they come in unto Balaam, and speak unto him the words of Balak,
8and he saith unto them, `Lodge here to-night, and I have brought you back word, as Jehovah speaketh unto me;` and the princes of Moab abide with Balaam.
9And God cometh in unto Balaam, and saith, `Who [are] these men with thee?`
10And Balaam saith unto God, `Balak, son of Zippor, king of Moab, hath sent unto me:
11Lo, the people that is coming out from Egypt and covereth the eye of the land, -- now come, pierce it for me; it may be I am able to fight against it, and have cast it out;`