⁴ The Moabites^(A) said to the elders of Midian,^(B) “This horde is going to lick up everything^(C) around us, as an ox licks up the grass of the field.^(D)”

So Balak son of Zippor, who was king of Moab at that time,

Vengeance on the Midianites

31 The Lord said to Moses, ² “Take vengeance on the Midianites^(A) for the Israelites. After that, you will be gathered to your people.^(B)”

³ So Moses said to the people, “Arm some of your men to go to war against the Midianites so that they may carry out the Lord’s vengeance^(C) on them.