23:1   Balaam said to Balak, "Build seven altars here, then bring seven bulls and seven rams."

23:2   After Balak had done this, they sacrificed a bull and a ram on each altar.

23:3   Then Balaam said, "Wait here beside your offerings, and I'll go somewhere to be alone. Maybe the LORD will appear to me. If he does, I will tell you everything he says." And he left.

23:4   When God appeared to him, Balaam said, "I have built seven altars and have sacrificed a bull and a ram on each one."

23:5   The LORD gave Balaam a message, then sent him back to tell Balak.

23:6   When Balaam returned, he found Balak and his officials standing beside the offerings.

23:7   Balaam said: "King Balak of Moab brought me from the hills of Syria to curse Israel and announce its doom.

23:8   But I can't go against God! He did not curse or condemn Israel. *

23:9   "From the mountain peaks, I look down and see Israel, the obedient people of God.

23:10   They are living alone in peace. And though they are many, they don't bother the other nations. "I hope to obey God for as long as I live and to die in such peace."

23:11   Balak said, "What are you doing? I asked you to come and place a curse on my enemies. But you have blessed them instead!"

23:12   Balaam answered, "I can say only what the LORD tells me."

23:13   Balak said to Balaam, "Let's go somewhere else. Maybe if you see a smaller part of the Israelites, you will be able to curse them for me."

23:14   So he took Balaam to a field on top of Mount Pisgah where lookouts were stationed. Then he built seven altars there and sacrificed a bull and a ram on each one.

23:15   "Wait here beside your offerings," Balaam said. "The LORD will appear to me over there."

23:16   The LORD appeared to Balaam and gave him another message, then he told him to go and tell Balak.

23:17   Balaam went back and saw him and his officials standing beside the offerings. Balak asked, "What did the LORD say?"

23:18   Balaam answered: "Pay close attention to my words--

23:19   God is no mere human! He doesn't tell lies or change his mind. God always keeps his promises.

23:20   "My command from God was to bless these people, and there's nothing I can do to change what he has done.

23:21   Israel's king is the LORD God. He lives there with them and intends them no harm.

23:22   With the strength of a wild ox, God led Israel out of Egypt.

23:23   No magic charms can work against them-- just look what God has done for his people.

23:24   They are like angry lions ready to attack; and they won't rest until their victim is gobbled down."

23:25   Balak shouted, "If you're not going to curse Israel, then at least don't bless them."

23:26   "I've already told you," Balaam answered. "I will say only what the LORD tells me."

23:27   Balak said to Balaam, "Come on, let's try another place. Maybe God will let you curse Israel from there."

23:28   So he took Balaam to Mount Peor overlooking the desert north of the Dead Sea.

23:29   Balaam said, "Build seven altars here, then bring me seven bulls and seven rams."

23:30   After Balak had done what Balaam asked, he sacrificed a bull and a ram on each altar.