Numbers 22 – read and compare multiple versions of the Bible
World English Bible
Numbers 22 (WEBP)
[1] The children of Israel traveled, and encamped in the plains of Moab beyond the Jordan at Jericho.
[2] Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites.
[3] Moab was very afraid of the people, because they were many. Moab was distressed because of the children of Israel.
[4] Moab said to the elders of Midian, “Now this multitude will lick up all that is around us, as the ox licks up the grass of the field.” Balak the son of Zippor was king of Moab at that time.
[5] He sent messengers to Balaam the son of Beor, to Pethor, which is by the River, to the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying, “Behold, there is a people who came out of Egypt. Behold, they cover the surface of the earth, and they are staying opposite me.
[6] Please come now therefore, and 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] The elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand. They came to Balaam, and spoke to him the words of Balak.
[8] He said to them, “Lodge here this night, and I will bring you word again, as Yahweh shall speak to me.” The princes of Moab stayed with Balaam.
[9] God came to Balaam, and said, “Who are these men with you?”
[10] Balaam said to God, “Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, has said to me,
[11] ‘Behold, the people that has come out of Egypt covers the surface of the earth. Now, come curse them for me. Perhaps I shall be able to fight against them, and shall drive them out.’ ”
[12] God said to Balaam, “You shall not go with them. You shall not curse the people, for they are blessed.”
[13] Balaam rose up in the morning, and said to the princes of Balak, “Go to your land; for Yahweh refuses to permit me to go with you.”
[14] The princes of Moab rose up, and they went to Balak, and said, “Balaam refuses to come with us.”
[15] Balak again sent princes, more, and more honorable than they.
[16] They came to Balaam, and said to him, “Balak the son of Zippor says, ‘Please let nothing hinder you from coming to me,
[17] for I will promote you to very great honor, and whatever you say to me I will do. Please come therefore, and curse this people for me.’ ”
[18] Balaam answered the servants of Balak, “If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I can’t go beyond the word of Yahweh my God, to do less or more.
[19] Now therefore please stay here tonight as well, that I may know what else Yahweh will speak to me.”
[20] God came to Balaam at night, and said to him, “If the men have come to call you, rise up, go with them; but only the word which I speak to you, that you shall do.”
[21] Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his donkey, and went with the princes of Moab.
[22] God’s anger burned because he went; and Yahweh’s angel placed himself in the way as an adversary against him. Now he was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him.
[23] The donkey saw Yahweh’s angel standing in the way, with his sword drawn in his hand; and the donkey turned out of the path, and went into the field. Balaam struck the donkey, to turn her into the path.
[24] Then Yahweh’s angel stood in a narrow path between the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side.
[25] The donkey saw Yahweh’s angel, and she thrust herself to the wall, and crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall. He struck her again.
[26] Yahweh’s angel went further, and stood in a narrow place, where there was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left.
[27] The donkey saw Yahweh’s angel, and she lay down under Balaam. Balaam’s anger burned, and he struck the donkey with his staff.
[28] Yahweh 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] Balaam said to the donkey, “Because you have mocked me, I wish there were a sword in my hand, for now I would have killed you.”
[30] The donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your donkey, on which you have ridden all your life long until today? Was I ever in the habit of doing so to you?” He said, “No.”
[31] Then Yahweh opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw Yahweh’s angel standing in the way, with his sword drawn in his hand; and he bowed his head, and fell on his face.
[32] Yahweh’s angel said to him, “Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out as an adversary, because your way is perverse before me.
[33] The donkey saw me, and turned away before me these three times. Unless she had turned away from me, surely now I would have killed you, and saved her alive.”
[34] Balaam said to Yahweh’s angel, “I have sinned; for I didn’t know that you stood in the way against me. Now therefore, if it displeases you, I will go back again.”
[35] Yahweh’s angel said to Balaam, “Go with the men; but you shall only speak the word that I shall speak to you.” So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.
[36] When Balak heard that Balaam had come, he went out to meet him to the City of Moab, which is on the border of the Arnon, which is in the utmost part of the border.
[37] Balak said to Balaam, “Didn’t I earnestly send for you to summon you? Why didn’t you come to me? Am I not able indeed to promote you to honor?”
[38] Balaam said to Balak, “Behold, I have come to you. Have I now any power at all to speak anything? I will speak the word that God puts in my mouth.”
[39] Balaam went with Balak, and they came to Kiriath Huzoth.
[40] Balak sacrificed cattle and sheep, and sent to Balaam, and to the princes who were with him.
[41] In the morning, Balak took Balaam, and brought him up into the high places of Baal; and he saw from there part of the people.
Scripture quotations are taken from The World English Bible™ of eBible.org, 2020 stable text edition. It is in the public domain.
King James w/Strong’s #s
Numbers 22 (KJVS)
[1] And the children H1121 of Israel H3478 set forward H5265 (8799), and pitched H2583 (8799) in the plains H6160 of Moab H4124 on this side H5676 Jordan H3383 [by] Jericho H3405.
[2] And Balak H1111 the son H1121 of Zippor H6834 saw H7200 (8799) all that Israel H3478 had done H6213 (8804) to the Amorites H567.
[3] And Moab H4124 was sore H3966 afraid H1481 (8799) of H6440 the people H5971, because they [were] many H7227: and Moab H4124 was distressed H6973 (8799) because of H6440 the children H1121 of Israel H3478.
[4] And Moab H4124 said H559 (8799) unto the elders H2205 of Midian H4080, Now shall this company H6951 lick up H3897 (8762) all [that are] round about H5439 us, as the ox H7794 licketh up H3897 (8800) the grass H3418 of the field H7704. And Balak H1111 the son H1121 of Zippor H6834 [was] king H4428 of the Moabites H4124 at that time H6256.
[5] He sent H7971 (8799) messengers H4397 therefore unto Balaam H1109 the son H1121 of Beor H1160 to Pethor H6604, which [is] by the river H5104 of the land H776 of the children H1121 of his people H5971, to call H7121 (8800) him, saying H559 (8800), Behold, there is a people H5971 come out H3318 (8804) from Egypt H4714: behold, they cover H3680 (8765) the face H5869 of the earth H776, and they abide H3427 (8802) over against H4136 me:
[6] Come H3212 (8798) now therefore, I pray thee, curse H779 (8798) me this people H5971; for they [are] too mighty H6099 for me: peradventure I shall prevail H3201 (8799), [that] we may smite H5221 (8686) them, and [that] I may drive them out H1644 (8762) of the land H776: for I wot H3045 (8804) that he whom thou blessest H1288 (8762) [is] blessed H1288 (8794), and he whom thou cursest H779 (8799) is cursed H779 (8714).
[7] And the elders H2205 of Moab H4124 and the elders H2205 of Midian H4080 departed H3212 (8799) with the rewards of divination H7081 in their hand H3027; and they came H935 (8799) unto Balaam H1109, and spake H1696 (8762) unto him the words H1697 of Balak H1111.
[8] And he said H559 (8799) unto them, Lodge H3885 (8798) here this night H3915, and I will bring H7725 you word H1697 again H7725 (8689), as the LORD H3068 shall speak H1696 (8762) unto me: and the princes H8269 of Moab H4124 abode H3427 (8799) with Balaam H1109.
[9] And God H430 came H935 (8799) unto Balaam H1109, and said H559 (8799), What men H582 [are] these with thee?
[10] And Balaam H1109 said H559 (8799) unto God H430, Balak H1111 the son H1121 of Zippor H6834, king H4428 of Moab H4124, hath sent H7971 (8804) unto me, [saying],
[11] Behold, [there is] a people H5971 come out H3318 (8802) of Egypt H4714, which covereth H3680 (8762) the face H5869 of the earth H776: come H3212 (8798) now, curse H6895 (8798) me them; peradventure I shall be able H3201 (8799) to overcome H3898 (8736) them, and drive them out H1644 (8765).
[12] And God H430 said H559 (8799) unto Balaam H1109, Thou shalt not go H3212 (8799) with them; thou shalt not curse H779 (8799) the people H5971: for they [are] blessed H1288 (8803).
[13] And Balaam H1109 rose up H6965 (8799) in the morning H1242, and said H559 (8799) unto the princes H8269 of Balak H1111, Get H3212 (8798) you into your land H776: for the LORD H3068 refuseth H3985 (8765) to give me leave H5414 (8800) to go H1980 (8800) with you.
[14] And the princes H8269 of Moab H4124 rose up H6965 (8799), and they went H935 (8799) unto Balak H1111, and said H559 (8799), Balaam H1109 refuseth H3985 (8765) to come H1980 (8800) with us.
[15] And Balak H1111 sent H7971 (8800) yet again H3254 (8686) princes H8269, more H7227, and more honourable H3513 (8737) than they.
[16] And they came H935 (8799) to Balaam H1109, and said H559 (8799) to him, Thus saith H559 (8804) Balak H1111 the son H1121 of Zippor H6834, Let nothing, I pray thee, hinder H4513 (8735) thee from coming H1980 (8800) unto me:
[17] For I will promote H3513 thee unto very H3966 great H3513 (8763) honour H3513 (8762), and I will do H6213 (8799) whatsoever thou sayest H559 (8799) unto me: come H3212 (8798) therefore, I pray thee, curse H6895 (8798) me this people H5971.
[18] And Balaam H1109 answered H6030 (8799) and said H559 (8799) unto the servants H5650 of Balak H1111, If Balak H1111 would give H5414 (8799) me his house H1004 full H4393 of silver H3701 and gold H2091, I cannot H3201 (8799) go beyond H5674 (8800) the word H6310 of the LORD H3068 my God H430, to do H6213 (8800) less H6996 or more H1419.
[19] Now therefore, I pray you, tarry H3427 (8798) ye also here this night H3915, that I may know H3045 (8799) what the LORD H3068 will say H1696 (8763) unto me more H3254 (8686).
[20] And God H430 came H935 (8799) unto Balaam H1109 at night H3915, and said H559 (8799) unto him, If the men H582 come H935 (8804) to call H7121 (8800) thee, rise up H6965 (8798), [and] go H3212 (8798) with them; but yet H389 the word H1697 which I shall say H1696 (8762) unto thee, that shalt thou do H6213 (8799).
[21] And Balaam H1109 rose up H6965 (8799) in the morning H1242, and saddled H2280 (8799) his ass H860, and went H3212 (8799) with the princes H8269 of Moab H4124.
[22] And God’s H430 anger H639 was kindled H2734 (8799) because he went H1980 (8802): and the angel H4397 of the LORD H3068 stood H3320 (8691) in the way H1870 for an adversary H7854 against him. Now he was riding H7392 (8802) upon his ass H860, and his two H8147 servants H5288 [were] with him.
[23] And the ass H860 saw H7200 (8799) the angel H4397 of the LORD H3068 standing H5324 (8737) in the way H1870, and his sword H2719 drawn H8025 (8803) in his hand H3027: and the ass H860 turned aside H5186 (8799) out of the way H1870, and went H3212 (8799) into the field H7704: and Balaam H1109 smote H5221 (8686) the ass H860, to turn H5186 (8687) her into the way H1870.
[24] But the angel H4397 of the LORD H3068 stood H5975 (8799) in a path H4934 of the vineyards H3754, a wall H1447 [being] on this side, and a wall H1447 on that side.
[25] And when the ass H860 saw H7200 (8799) the angel H4397 of the LORD H3068, she thrust H3905 (8735) herself unto the wall H7023, and crushed H3905 (8799) Balaam’s H1109 foot H7272 against the wall H7023: and he smote H5221 (8687) her again H3254 (8686).
[26] And the angel H4397 of the LORD H3068 went H5674 (8800) further H3254 (8686), and stood H5975 (8799) in a narrow H6862 place H4725, where [was] no way H1870 to turn H5186 (8800) either to the right hand H3225 or to the left H8040.
[27] And when the ass H860 saw H7200 (8799) the angel H4397 of the LORD H3068, she fell down H7257 (8799) under Balaam H1109: and Balaam’s H1109 anger H639 was kindled H2734 (8799), and he smote H5221 (8686) the ass H860 with a staff H4731.
[28] And the LORD H3068 opened H6605 (8799) the mouth H6310 of the ass H860, and she said H559 (8799) unto Balaam H1109, What have I done H6213 (8804) unto thee, that thou hast smitten H5221 (8689) me these three H7969 times H7272?
[29] And Balaam H1109 said H559 (8799) unto the ass H860, Because thou hast mocked H5953 (8694) me: I would H3863 there were H3426 a sword H2719 in mine hand H3027, for now would I kill H2026 (8804) thee.
[30] And the ass H860 said H559 (8799) unto Balaam H1109, [Am] not I thine ass H860, upon which thou hast ridden H7392 (8804) ever since [I was] thine unto this day H3117? was I ever H5532 (8687) wont H5532 (8689) to do so H6213 (8800) unto thee? And he said H559 (8799), Nay.
[31] Then the LORD H3068 opened H1540 (8762) the eyes H5869 of Balaam H1109, and he saw H7200 (8799) the angel H4397 of the LORD H3068 standing H5324 (8737) in the way H1870, and his sword H2719 drawn H8025 (8803) in his hand H3027: and he bowed down H6915 (8799) his head, and fell flat H7812 (8691) on his face H639.
[32] And the angel H4397 of the LORD H3068 said H559 (8799) unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten H5221 (8689) thine ass H860 these three H7969 times H7272? behold, I went out H3318 (8804) to withstand H7854 thee, because [thy] way H1870 is perverse H3399 (8804) before me:
[33] And the ass H860 saw H7200 (8799) me, and turned H5186 (8799) from me H6440 these three H7969 times H7272: unless H194 she had turned H5186 (8804) from me H6440, surely now also I had slain H2026 (8804) thee, and saved her alive H2421 (8689).
[34] And Balaam H1109 said H559 (8799) unto the angel H4397 of the LORD H3068, I have sinned H2398 (8804); for I knew H3045 (8804) not that thou stoodest H5324 (8737) in the way H1870 against H7125 (8800) me: now therefore, if it displease thee H7489 (8804) H5869, I will get me back again H7725 (8799).
[35] And the angel H4397 of the LORD H3068 said H559 (8799) unto Balaam H1109, Go H3212 (8798) with the men H582: but only H657 the word H1697 that I shall speak H1696 (8762) unto thee, that thou shalt speak H1696 (8762). So Balaam H1109 went H3212 (8799) with the princes H8269 of Balak H1111.
[36] And when Balak H1111 heard H8085 (8799) that Balaam H1109 was come H935 (8802), he went out H3318 (8799) to meet H7125 (8800) him unto a city H5892 of Moab H4124, which [is] in the border H1366 of Arnon H769, which [is] in the utmost H7097 coast H1366.
[37] And Balak H1111 said H559 (8799) unto Balaam H1109, Did I not earnestly H7971 (8800) send H7971 (8804) unto thee to call H7121 (8800) thee? wherefore camest H1980 (8804) thou not unto me? am I not able H3201 (8799) indeed H552 to promote thee to honour H3513 (8763)?
[38] And Balaam H1109 said H559 (8799) unto Balak H1111, Lo, I am come H935 (8804) unto thee: have I now any power H3201 (8799) at all H3201 (8800) to say H1696 (8763) any thing H3972? the word H1697 that God H430 putteth H7760 (8799) in my mouth H6310, that shall I speak H1696 (8762).
[39] And Balaam H1109 went H3212 (8799) with Balak H1111, and they came H935 (8799) unto Kirjathhuzoth H2351 H7155.
[40] And Balak H1111 offered H2076 (8799) oxen H1241 and sheep H6629, and sent H7971 (8762) to Balaam H1109, and to the princes H8269 that [were] with him.
[41] And it came to pass on the morrow H1242, that Balak H1111 took H3947 (8799) Balaam H1109, and brought him up H5927 (8686) into the high places H1116 of Baal H1120, that thence he might see H7200 (8799) the utmost H7097 [part] of the people H5971.
Young’s Literal Translation
Numbers 22 (YLT)
[1] And the sons of Israel journey and encamp in the plains of Moab, beyond the Jordan, by Jericho.
[2] And Balak son of Zippor seeth all that Israel hath done to the Amorite,
[3] and Moab is exceedingly afraid of the presence of the people, for it is numerous; and Moab is vexed by the presence of the sons of Israel,
[4] and Moab saith unto the elders of Midian, ‘Now doth the assembly lick up all that is round about us, as the ox licketh up the green thing of the field.’ And Balak son of Zippor is king of Moab at that time,
[5] and 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;
[6] and 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.’
[7] And 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,
[8] and 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.
[9] And God cometh in unto Balaam, and saith, ‘Who are these men with thee?’
[10] And Balaam saith unto God, ‘Balak, son of Zippor, king of Moab, hath sent unto me:
[11] Lo, 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;’
[12] and God saith unto Balaam, ‘Thou dost not go with them; thou dost not curse the people; for it is blessed.’
[13] And Balaam riseth in the morning, and saith unto the princes of Balak, ‘Go unto your land, for Jehovah is refusing to suffer me to go with you;’
[14] and the princes of Moab rise, and come in unto Balak, and say, ‘Balaam is refusing to come with us.’
[15] And Balak addeth yet to send princes, more numerous and honoured than these,
[16] and they come in unto Balaam, and say to him, ‘Thus said Balak son of Zippor, Be not, I pray thee, withheld from coming unto me,
[17] for very greatly I honour thee, and all that thou sayest unto me I do; and come, I pray thee, pierce for me this people.’
[18] And Balaam answereth and saith unto the servants of Balak, ‘If Balak doth give to me the fulness of his house of silver and gold, I am not able to pass over the command of Jehovah my God, to do a little or a great thing;
[19] and, now, abide, I pray you, in this place, you also, to-night; and I know what Jehovah is adding to speak with me.’
[20] And God cometh in unto Balaam, by night, and saith to him, ‘If to call for thee the men have come, rise, go with them, and only the thing which I speak unto thee-it thou dost do.’
[21] And Balaam riseth in the morning, and saddleth his ass, and goeth with the princes of Moab,
[22] and the anger of God burneth because he is going, and a messenger of Jehovah stationeth himself in the way for an adversary to him, and he is riding on his ass, and two of his servants are with him,
[23] and the ass seeth the messenger of Jehovah standing in the way, and his drawn sword in his hand, and the ass turneth aside out of the way, and goeth into a field, and Balaam smiteth the ass to turn it aside into the way.
[24] And the messenger of Jehovah standeth in a narrow path of the vineyards-a wall on this side and a wall on that-
[25] and the ass seeth the messenger of Jehovah, and is pressed unto the wall, and presseth Balaam’s foot unto the wall, and he addeth to smite her;
[26] and the messenger of Jehovah addeth to pass over, and standeth in a strait place where there is no way to turn aside-right or left-
[27] and the ass seeth the messenger of Jehovah, and croucheth under Balaam, and the anger of Balaam burneth, and he smiteth the ass with a staff.
[28] And Jehovah openeth the mouth of the ass, and she saith to Balaam, ‘What have I done to thee that thou hast smitten me these three times?’
[29] and Balaam saith to the ass, ‘Because thou hast rolled thyself against me; oh that there were a sword in my hand, for now I had slain thee;’
[30] and the ass saith unto Balaam, ‘Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden since I was thine unto this day? have I at all been accustomed to do to thee thus?’ and he saith, ‘No.’
[31] And Jehovah uncovereth the eyes of Balaam, and he seeth the messenger of Jehovah standing in the way, and his drawn sword in his hand, and he boweth and doth obeisance, to his face;
[32] and the messenger of Jehovah saith unto him, ‘Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? lo, I-I have come out for an adversary, for thy way hath been perverse before me,
[33] and the ass seeth me, and turneth aside at my presence these three times; unless she had turned aside from my presence, surely now also, thee I had slain, and her kept alive.’
[34] And Balaam saith unto the messenger of Jehovah, ‘I have sinned, for I did not know that thou art standing to meet me in the way; and now, if evil in thine eyes-I turn back by myself.’
[35] And the messenger of Jehovah saith unto Balaam, ‘Go with the men; and only the word which I speak unto thee-it thou dost speak;’ and Balaam goeth with the princes of Balak.
[36] And Balak heareth that Balaam hath come, and goeth out to meet him, unto a city of Moab, which is on the border of Arnon, which is in the extremity of the border;
[37] and Balak saith unto Balaam, ‘Did I not diligently sent unto thee to call for thee? why didst thou not come unto me? am I not truly able to honour thee?’
[38] And Balaam saith unto Balak, ‘Lo, I have come unto thee; now-am I at all able to speak anything? the word which God setteth in my mouth-it I do speak.’
[39] And Balaam goeth with Balak, and they come to Kirjath-Huzoth,
[40] and Balak sacrificeth oxen and sheep, and sendeth to Balaam, and to the princes who are with him;
[41] and it cometh to pass in the morning, that Balak taketh Balaam, and causeth him to go up the high places of Baal, and he seeth from thence the extremity of the people.