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. |