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So Yahweh sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people so that many people of Israel died.

But Sihon would not allow Israel to pass through his border. So Sihon gathered all his people and went out to meet Israel in the wilderness and came to Jahaz and fought against Israel.

Therefore those who use proverbs say,"Come to Heshbon! Let it be built!So let the city of Sihon be established.

So they struck down him and his sons and all his people, until there was no survivor remaining for him; and they possessed his land.

So Moab was in great fear because of the people, for they were numerous; and Moab was in dread of the sons of Israel.

So he sent messengers to Balaam the son of Beor, at Pethor, which is near the 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 settled opposite me.

So now, please come, curse this people for me since they are too mighty for me; perhaps I may be able to strike them down and drive them out of the land. For I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed."

So the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian went away with the fees for divination in their hand; and they came to Balaam and spoke Balak's words to him.

So Balaam arose in the morning and said to Balak's leaders, "Go back to your land, for Yahweh has refused to allow me to go with you."

So now, please, you also stay here tonight, and I will know what else Yahweh will speak to me."

So Balaam arose in the morning and saddled his donkey and went with the leaders of Moab.

But God was angry because he was going, so the angel of Yahweh took his stand in the way as an adversary against him. Now he was riding on his donkey, and his two young men were with him.

Then the donkey saw the angel of Yahweh standing in the way with his drawn sword in his hand, and the donkey turned off from the way and went into the field; so Balaam struck the donkey to turn it back into the way.

And the donkey saw the angel of Yahweh, and it pressed itself to the wall and pressed Balaam's foot against the wall, so he struck it again.

Then the donkey saw the angel of Yahweh and lay down under Balaam; so Balaam was angry and struck the donkey with his stick.

And 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."

And Balaam said to the angel of Yahweh, "I have sinned, for I did not know that you were standing in the way against me. So now, if it is evil in your sight, I will turn back."

But the angel of Yahweh said to Balaam, "Go with the men, but you shall speak only the word which I tell you." So Balaam went along with the leaders of Balak.

So Balaam said to Balak, "Behold, I have come now to you! Am I able to speak anything at all? The word that God puts in my mouth, that I shall speak."

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