Moabsaidto the eldersof Midian,"Nowthis hordewill lickup allthat is aroundus, as the oxlicksup the grassof the field."And Balakthe sonof Zipporwas kingof Moabat that time.
They arosefrom Midianand cameto Paran;and they tookmenwith them from Paranand cameto Egypt,to Pharaohkingof Egypt,who gavehim a houseand assignedhim foodand gavehim land.
"Thenthe chiefsof Edomwere dismayed;The leadersof Moab,tremblinggripsthem; Allthe inhabitantsof Canaanhave meltedaway.
"On allthe housetopsof Moaband in its streetsthereis lamentationeverywhere;for I have brokenMoablike an undesirablevessel,"declaresthe LORD.
Now Balakthe sonof Zipporsawallthat Israelhad doneto the Amorites.
So the eldersof Moaband the eldersof Midiandepartedwith the [fees for] divinationin their hand;and they cameto Balaamand repeatedBalak'swordsto him.
"I seehim, but not now;I beholdhim, but not near;A starshall comeforth from Jacob,A sceptershall risefrom Israel,And shall crushthroughthe foreheadof Moab,And teardownallthe sonsof Sheth.
Then behold,oneof the sonsof Israelcameand broughtto his relativesa Midianitewoman,in the sightof Mosesand in the sightof allthe congregationof the sonsof Israel,while they were weepingat the doorwayof the tentof meeting.
Then the LORDspoketo Moses,saying,
They killedthe kingsof Midianalongwith the [rest of] their slain:Eviand Rekemand Zurand Hurand Reba,the fivekingsof Midian;they also killedBalaamthe sonof Beorwith the sword.
Noware you anybetterthanBalakthe sonof Zippor,kingof Moab?Did he everstrivewith Israel,ordid he everfightagainst them?
Then the sonsof Israeldidwhatwas evilin the sightof the LORD;and the LORDgavethem into the handsof Midiansevenyears.
