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23:1  He said to Balak, “Build seven altars here for me, and bring me seven bulls and seven rams.”
23:2  Balak did as he was told, and he and Balaam offered a bull and a ram on each altar.
23:3  Then 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,
23:4  and God met him. Balaam said to him, “I have built the seven altars and offered a bull and a ram on each.”
23:5  The Lord told Balaam what to say and sent him back to Balak to give him his message.
23:6  So he went back and found Balak still standing by his burnt offering with all the leaders of Moab.
23:7  Balaam 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.’
23:8  How can I curse what God has not cursed, Or speak of doom when the Lord has not?
23:9  From 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.
23:10  The 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.”
23:11  Then 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.”
23:12  He answered, “I can say only what the Lord tells me to say.”
23:13  Then 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.”
23:14  He 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.
23:15  Balaam said to Balak, “Stand here by your burnt offering, and I will meet God over there.”
23:16  The Lord met Balaam, told him what to say, and sent him back to Balak to give him his message.
23:17  So he went back and found Balak still standing by his burnt offering, with the leaders of Moab. Balak asked what the Lord had said,
23:18  and Balaam uttered this prophecy: “Come, Balak son of Zippor, And listen to what I have to say.
23:19  God 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.
23:20  I have been instructed to bless, And when God blesses, I cannot call it back.
23:21  I 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.
23:22  God has brought them out of Egypt; He fights for them like a wild ox.
23:23  There 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!’
23:24  The 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.”
23:25  Then Balak said to Balaam, “You refuse to curse the people of Israel, but at least don't bless them!”
23:26  Balaam answered, “Didn't I tell you that I had to do everything that the Lord told me?”
23:27  Balak 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.”
23:28  So he took Balaam to the top of Mount Peor overlooking the desert.
23:29  Balaam said to him, “Build seven altars for me here and bring me seven bulls and seven rams.”
23:30  Balak did as he was told, and offered a bull and a ram on each altar.