Numbers 22
The Donkey Saw What the Prophet Could Not
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Moab’s Terror
22:1The sons of Israel set out and camped on the western side of Moab, beside the Jordan opposite Jericho.
22:2Balak son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites.
22:3Moab was very afraid of the people because they were numerous; Moab was distressed by the sons of Israel.
22:4Moab said to the council of elders of Midian: Now this congregation will lick up everyone around us as a calf licks up the green plants of the plain. Balak son of Zippor was king of Moab at that time.
The First Embassy
22:5He sent envoys to Balaam son of Beor at Pethor, beside the river in the land of his people, to summon him: Look, a people has come out of Egypt. They cover the face of the land and are encamped next to me.
22:6Now come and curse this people for me, for they are stronger than we are. If we can strike some of them, I will drive them from the land. I know that those you bless are blessed, and those you curse are cursed.
22:7The council of elders of Moab and the council of elders of Midian went with the means of divination in their hands. They came to Balaam and told him Balak's words.
22:8He said to them: Lodge here for the night, and I will answer you with whatever the Lord speaks to me. The officials of Moab remained with Balaam.
22:9God came to Balaam and said to him: Who are these men with you?
22:10Balaam said to God: Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab, has sent them to me, saying:
22:11Look, a people has come out of Egypt and covers the face of the land; they are encamped next to me. Now come and curse them for me. Perhaps I can strike them and drive them from the land.
22:12God said to Balaam: You shall not go with them or curse the people, for they are blessed.
22:13Balaam rose in the morning and said to Balak's officials: Hurry back to your lord, for God does not permit me to go with you.
22:14The officials of Moab rose, came to Balak, and said: Balaam is unwilling to come with us.
The Second Embassy
22:15Balak again sent officials, more numerous and more honored than these.
22:16They came to Balaam and said to him: Thus says Balak son of Zippor: I ask you, do not hesitate to come to me.
22:17I will honor you richly, and I will do for you whatever you say. Come and curse this people for me.
22:18Balaam answered Balak's officials: Even if Balak gave me his house full of silver and gold, I could not transgress the word of the Lord God to do anything small or great according to my own intention.
22:19Now you also remain here tonight, and I will learn what more the Lord will say to me.
22:20God came to Balaam at night and said to him: If these men are here to summon you, rise and follow them. But you shall do what I tell you.
22:21Balaam rose in the morning, saddled his donkey, and went with the officials of Moab.
Balaam, the Donkey, and the Angel
22:22God grew angry because he went. God's angel rose to obstruct him. Balaam was riding his donkey, with his two servants beside him.
22:23The donkey saw God's angel opposing them in the road with his sword drawn in his hand. She turned off the road into the plain, and he struck her with the staff to direct her onto the road.
22:24God's angel stood in the furrows of the vineyards, with a fence on either side.
22:25The donkey saw God's angel and pressed herself against the wall, crushing Balaam's foot. He whipped her again.
22:26God's angel went farther and stood in a narrow place where there was no way to turn right or left.
22:27The donkey saw God's angel and crouched beneath Balaam. Balaam became angry and beat the donkey with his staff.
22:28God opened the donkey's mouth, and she said to Balaam: What have I done to you that you have struck me this third time?
22:29Balaam said to the donkey: Because you have mocked me! If I had a sword in my hand, I would have stabbed you already.
22:30The donkey said to Balaam: Am I not your donkey, which you have ridden from your youth until this day? Have I acted like this toward you out of deliberate disregard? He said: No.
22:31God uncovered Balaam's eyes, and he saw the Lord's angel opposing him in the road with his sword drawn in his hand. He bent down and prostrated himself on his face.
22:32God's angel said to him: Why have you struck your donkey this third time? Look, I have come out to oppose you, because your way is not fitting before me.
22:33The donkey saw me and turned away from me this third time. If she had not turned away, I would now have killed you and preserved her.
22:34Balaam said to the Lord's angel: I have sinned, for I did not know that you were opposing me in the road. Now, if this does not please you, I will turn back.
22:35God's angel said to Balaam: Go with the men, but take care to speak the word that I tell you. Balaam went with Balak's officials.
The Meeting of Balak and Balaam
22:36Balak heard that Balaam had arrived and went out to meet him at a city of Moab on the Arnon border, at the edge of the territory.
22:37Balak said to Balaam: Did I not send to summon you? Why did you not come to me? Am I really unable to honor you?
22:38Balaam said to Balak: Look, I have come to you. Am I now able to say anything? I shall speak the word that God puts in my mouth.
22:39Balaam went with Balak, and they came to towns of farmsteads.
22:40Balak sacrificed sheep and calves and sent portions to Balaam and the officials with him.
22:41In the morning Balak took Balaam and brought him up to Baal's pillar. From there he showed him a part of the people.
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Saints Translation · Liturgical reading edition · V1 · working draft awaiting specialist review.