36 When King Balak heard that Bileam was coming, he went out to meeting him at a city in Moav that was on his border beside the Arnon river. 37 He asked Bileam, “Didn’t I send an urgent message to summon you? Why didn’t you come then? Did you think I couldn’t pay you enough?”

38 “Look, I’ve come now,” Bileam answered Balak, “but can I say whatever I want? No, I have to deliver whatever message God gives me.” 39 So then Bileam went to Kiryat-Hutsot with Balak, 40 where Balak sacrificed sheep and cattle, and gave some of the meat to Bileam and to the leaders who were with them. 41 The next morning, Balak took Bileam uphill to Bamot-Baal, and from there they could see the outskirts of the Israeli camp.