1   And marching forward they camped in the champion countrie of Moab, where Iericho is situated beyond Iordan.

2   And Balac the sonne of Sephor seeing al thinges that Israel had done to the Amorrheite,

3   and that the Moabites were in greate feare of him, and could not susteyne his assault,

4   he said to the eldets of Madian: So wil this people destroy al that dwel in our coastes, as the oxe is wont to eate the grasse vnto the verie rootes. And he was at the same time King in Moab.

5   He sent therfote messengers to Balaam the sonne of Behor a Southsayer, who dwelt vpon the riuer of the land of the children of Ammon, to cal him, and to say: Behold a people is come out of Ægypt, that hath couered the

Balac and Balaam face of the earth, sitting against me.

6   Come therfore, and curse this people, because it is mightier then I: if by any meanes I may strike them and cast them out of my land. for I know that he is blessed whom thou shalt blesse, and cursed vpon whom thou shalt heape curses.

7   And the ancientes of Moab went, and the elders of Madian, hauing the price of diuination in their handes. And when they were come to Balaam, and had told him al the wordes of Balac:

8   he answered: Tarie here this night, and I wil answer whatsoeuer ^notethe Lord shal say to me. And whiles they stayed with Balaam, ^note God came, and said to him:

9   What would these men that are with thee?

10   He answered: Balac the sonne of Sephor king of the Moabites hath sent to me,

11   saying: Behold a people that is come out of Ægypt, hath couered the face of the land: come, and curse them, if by any meanes fighting I may driue them away.

12   And God said to Balaam: Goe not with them, neither doe thou curse the people: because it is blessed.

13   Who in the morning arising said to the princes: Goe into your countrie, because the Lord hath forbid me to come with you.

14   The princes returning, said to Balac: Balaam would not come with vs.

15   Againe he sent many moe and more noble, then he had sent before.

16   Who when they were come to Balaam, said: Thus sayeth Balac the sonne of Sephor: Slacke not to come to me:

17   for I am readie to honour thee, and whatsoeuer thou wilt I wil geue thee: Come, and curse this people.

18   Balaam answered: If Balac would geue me his house ful of siluer and gold, I can not change the word of the Lord my God, to speake either more, or lesse.

19   I besech you that you wil also tarie here this night, and I may know what the Lord wil answer me ^note once more.

20   God therfore came to Balaam in the night, and said to him: If these men be come to cal thee, arise and goe with them: yet so, that thou doe that which I shal command thee.

21   Balaam arose in the morning, and sadling his asse went with them.

22   And God was angrie. And an Angel of our Lord stoode in the way against Balaam, who sate vpon the asse, and had two seruantes with him.

23   The asse seeing the Angel standing in the way, with a drawen sword, turned her self out of the way, and went by the field. Whom when Balaam had bette, and had brought her againe to the beaten way,

24   the Angel

Balac and Balaam. stoode in the streicttes of two walles, wherwith vineyardes were inclosed.

25   Whom the asse seeing, ioyned her selfe close to the wal, and brused the foote of him that ridde. But he beate her againe:

26   and neuerthelesse the Angel passing to a narrow place, where there could be no going a side neither to the right hand nor to the left, stoode to meete him.

27   And when the asse had seene the Angel standing, she fel vnder the feete of the rider. Who being angrie, bette her sides with a staffe more vehemently.

28   And our Lord opened the mouth of the asse, and she spake: What haue I done to thee? why strikest thou me? loe now the third time?

29   Balaam ^note answered: Because thou hast deserued, and hast abused me: I would I had a sword, that I might kil thee.

30   The asse said: Am not I thy beast, on which thou hast beene alwayes accustomed to ride vntil this present day? tel me what like thing did I euer to thee. But he said: Neuer.

31   Forthwith our Lord opened the eies of Balaam, and he ^notesaw the Angel standing in the way with a drawen sword, and he ^note adored him flatte to the ground.

32   To whom the Angel said: Why beatest thou thy asse the third time? I am come to withstand thee, because thy way is peruerse, and contrarie to me:

33   and vnlesse the asse had turned out of the way, geuing place to me resisting thee, I had slaine thee, and she should haue liued.

34   Balaam said: I haue sinned, not knowing that thou didst stand against me: and now if it displease thee that I goe, I wil returne.

35   The Angel said: ^note Goe with these men, and see thou speake no other thing then I shal command thee. He went therfore with the princes.

36   Which when Balac heard, he came forth to meete him in a towne of the Moabites, that is situated in the vttermost borders of Arnon.

37   And he said to Balaam: I sent messengers to cal thee, why didst thou not come immediatly vnto me? was it because I can not reward thy coming?

38   To whom he answered: Loe here I am: Shal I be able to speake any other thing, but that which God shal put in my mouth?

39   They therfore went on together, and came into a citie, that was in the vttermost borders of his kingdome.

40   And when Balac had killed oxen, & sheepe, he sent therof to Balaam, and to the princes that were with him, presentes.

41   And when morning was come, he brought him to the excelses of Baal, and he beheld the vttermost part of the people.

Balac and Balaam.

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