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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 up.”
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.