1 The people of Israel set up camp in Moab, near the big river by Jericho. ⛺️ 2 Balak, the king of Moab, saw what Israel did to the Amorites. 3 The people of Moab were very scared of Israel, because there were many of them. 4 Moab said to the leaders of Midian, “These people will eat us up like a cow eats grass.” Balak was the king. ️ 5 Balak sent men to Balaam son of Beor, in Pethor by a big river. He said, “A people came from Egypt. They are many and near me.” ♂️ 6 Balak said, “Please come. Say bad words on them. They are too strong for me. Then maybe we can win and push them away. I think your words work.” ️⚔️ 7 The leaders of Moab and Midian went with money to pay. They told Balaam Balak’s words. ♂️️ 8 Balaam said, “Stay the night. I will ask God. I will tell you later.” So they stayed. 9 God came to Balaam and said, “Who are these men with you?” ☁️️ 10 Balaam said to God, “Balak, the king of Moab, sent these men to me.” ➡️ 11 Balaam told God, “They said, ‘A big people came from Egypt. Please come say bad words so we can fight and send them away.’” ️⚔️ 12 God said, “Do not go with them. Do not say bad words on the people. I say good on them.” ✋✨ 13 In the morning, Balaam said to the men, “Go home. God will not let me go.” 14 The men went back to Balak and said, “Balaam will not come.” ️ 15 Balak sent more men again, and they were important men. ➕ 16 They said to Balaam, “Balak says, ‘Please do not say no. Come now.’” ️ 17 Balak said, “I will pay you a lot. I will do what you ask. Please come say bad words on them.” ️ 18 Balaam said, “Even if Balak gives me a house full of money, I can only do what God says.” ✋ 19 “Stay the night again. I will see what else God says.” ⏳ 20 God came at night and said, “If the men call you, go with them. But say only what I tell you.” ☁️️ 21 Balaam got up, put a saddle on his donkey, and went with the men from Moab. ♂️ 22 God was angry that he went. God’s angel stood in the road to stop him. Balaam rode the donkey, and two helpers went with him. ️ 23 The donkey saw the angel with a sword. The donkey turned into a field. Balaam hit the donkey to go back on the road. ⚔️ 24 God’s angel stood in a narrow path in a field of vines, with a wall on each side. 25 The donkey saw the angel and pushed to the wall. Balaam’s foot got hurt. Balaam hit the donkey again. 26 The angel went on and stood where the road was so narrow there was no room to turn. ↩️ 27 The donkey saw the angel and lay down under Balaam. Balaam got very mad and hit the donkey with a stick. ⬇️ 28 God made the donkey talk. The donkey said, “What did I do to you? Why did you hit me three times?” ️❓ 29 Balaam said, “You made me look bad. If I had a sword, I would kill you.” ⚔️ 30 The donkey said, “I am your donkey. You ride me all the time. Did I ever do this before?” Balaam said, “No.” ❤️ 31 God opened Balaam’s eyes. He saw the angel with a sword. Balaam bowed down to the ground. ⚔️ 32 The angel said, “Why did you hit your donkey three times? I came to stop you because your way was bad.” ️✋ 33 “The donkey saw me and turned three times. If she did not turn, I would have killed you and let her live.” 34 Balaam said, “I did wrong. I did not know you were in the road. If this is bad, I will go back.” 35 The angel said, “Go with the men. But say only the words I tell you.” So Balaam went with Balak’s men. ️➡️ 36 Balak heard Balaam came. He went out to meet him at a city in Moab, by the Arnon river edge. ♂️ 37 Balak said, “I sent for you. Why did you not come? I can pay you well.” ️ 38 Balaam said, “I have come. But I can only say the words God puts in my mouth.” ☁️ 39 Balaam went with Balak. They came to Kiriath-huzoth. ♂️️ 40 Balak killed cows and sheep and made a big meal. He sent food to Balaam and the leaders. 41 In the morning, Balak took Balaam up to Bamoth-baal. From there, Balaam could see part of the people of Israel. ⛰️