⁵ So he sent messengers to ^(A)Balaam the son of Beor, at ^(B)Pethor, which is near the Euphrates River, in the land of the sons of his people, to call for him, saying, “Behold, a people came out of Egypt; behold, they have covered the surface of the land, and they are living opposite me.

^6 (A)Now, therefore, please come, ^(B)curse this people for me since they are too ^[a]mighty for me; perhaps I will be able to ^[b]defeat them and drive them out of the land. For I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed.”