23Numbers 23

1He said to Balak, “Build seven altars here for me, and bring me seven bulls and seven rams.”Select Numbers 23:1

2Balak did as he was told, and he and Balaam offered a bull and a ram on each altar.Select Numbers 23:2

3Then Balaam said to Balak, “Stand here by your burnt offering, while I go to see whether or not the Lord will meet me. I will tell you whatever he reveals to me.” So he went alone to the top of a hill,Select Numbers 23:3

4and God met him. Balaam said to him, “I have built the seven altars and offered a bull and a ram on each.”Select Numbers 23:4

5The Lord told Balaam what to say and sent him back to Balak to give him his message.Select Numbers 23:5

6So he went back and found Balak still standing by his burnt offering with all the leaders of Moab.Select Numbers 23:6

7Balaam uttered this prophecy: “Balak king of Moab has brought me From Syria, from the eastern mountains. ‘Come speak for me,’ he said. ‘Put a curse on the people of Israel.’Select Numbers 23:7

8How can I curse what God has not cursed, Or speak of doom when the Lord has not?Select Numbers 23:8

9From the high rocks I can see them; I can watch them from the hills. They are a nation that lives alone; They know they are blessed more than other nations.Select Numbers 23:9

10The descendants of Israel are like the dust— There are too many of them to be counted. Let me end my days like one of God's people; Let me die in peace like the righteous.”Select Numbers 23:10

11Then Balak said to Balaam, “What have you done to me? I brought you here to curse my enemies, but all you have done is bless them.”Select Numbers 23:11

12He answered, “I can say only what the Lord tells me to say.”Select Numbers 23:12

Balaam's Second Prophecy

13Then Balak said to Balaam, “Come with me to another place from which you can see only some of the Israelites. Curse them for me from there.”Select Numbers 23:13

14He took him to the field of Zophim on the top of Mount Pisgah. There also he built seven altars and offered a bull and a ram on each of them.Select Numbers 23:14

15Balaam said to Balak, “Stand here by your burnt offering, and I will meet God over there.”Select Numbers 23:15

16The Lord met Balaam, told him what to say, and sent him back to Balak to give him his message.Select Numbers 23:16

17So he went back and found Balak still standing by his burnt offering, with the leaders of Moab. Balak asked what the Lord had said,Select Numbers 23:17

18and Balaam uttered this prophecy: “Come, Balak son of Zippor, And listen to what I have to say.Select Numbers 23:18

19God is not like people, who lie; He is not a human who changes his mind. Whatever he promises, he does; He speaks, and it is done.Select Numbers 23:19

20I have been instructed to bless, And when God blesses, I cannot call it back.Select Numbers 23:20

21I foresee that Israel's future Will bring her no misfortune or trouble. The Lord their God is with them; They proclaim that he is their king.Select Numbers 23:21

22God has brought them out of Egypt; He fights for them like a wild ox.Select Numbers 23:22

23There is no magic charm, no witchcraft, That can be used against the nation of Israel. Now people will say about Israel, ‘Look what God has done!’Select Numbers 23:23

24The nation of Israel is like a mighty lion: It doesn't rest until it has torn and devoured, Until it has drunk the blood of those it has killed.”Select Numbers 23:24

25Then Balak said to Balaam, “You refuse to curse the people of Israel, but at least don't bless them!”Select Numbers 23:25

26Balaam answered, “Didn't I tell you that I had to do everything that the Lord told me?”Select Numbers 23:26

Balaam's Third Prophecy

27Balak said, “Come with me, and I will take you to another place. Perhaps God will be willing to let you curse them for me from there.”Select Numbers 23:27

28So he took Balaam to the top of Mount Peor overlooking the desert.Select Numbers 23:28

29Balaam said to him, “Build seven altars for me here and bring me seven bulls and seven rams.”Select Numbers 23:29

30Balak did as he was told, and offered a bull and a ram on each altar.Select Numbers 23:30