5 He sent messengers to Baʹlaam the son of Beʹor at Peʹthor,+ which is by the River* in his native land. He summoned him, saying: “Look! A people has come out of Egypt. Look! They have covered the face* of the earth,*+ and they are dwelling right in front of me. 6 Now, please, come and curse this people for me,+ for they are mightier than I am. Perhaps I can defeat them and drive them out of the land, for I well know that the one whom you bless is blessed and the one whom you curse is cursed.”

7 Then he spoke this proverbial saying:+

‘Do come to curse Jacob for me.

Yes, come to denounce Israel.’+

11 Baʹlak then said to Baʹlaam: “What have you done to me? I brought you to put a curse on my enemies, and here you have done nothing but bless them.”+

10 Then Baʹlak became furious with Baʹlaam. Baʹlak scornfully clapped his hands together and said to Baʹlaam: “It was to put a curse on my enemies that I called you,+ but now you have done nothing but bless them these three times.