Numbers 23

1 Balaam told Balak, “Build for me here seven altars and prepare here for me seven bulls and seven rams.”ISV — Numbers 23:1

2 So Balak did just as Balaam instructed. Balak and Balaam offered a bull and a ram on each altar.ISV — Numbers 23:2

3 Then Balaam instructed Balak, “Stand by your offering and leave me alone by myself. Perhaps the LORD will come to meet me. I’ll tell you whatever he reveals to me.” And so he went to a high place,ISV — Numbers 23:3

4 where the LORD met with Balaam, who told him, “I’ve prepared seven altars and offered bulls and rams on an altar.”ISV — Numbers 23:4

5 Then the LORD gave Balaam this message. “Return to Balak and speak to him.”ISV — Numbers 23:5

6 So Balaam returned to where Balak had been standing, that is, next to his offerings, accompanied by all the Moabite officials.ISV — Numbers 23:6

7 Then Balaam uttered this prophetic statement: “King Balak of Moab brought me from Aram, from the eastern mountains, and told me, ‘Come and curse Jacob for me. Come and curse Israel.’ISV — Numbers 23:7

8 But how can I curse those whom God hasn’t cursed? How can I denounce those whom the LORD hasn’t denounced?ISV — Numbers 23:8

9 I saw them from the top of the rocks. I watched them from the hills. Truly this is a people that lives by itself and doesn’t matter ^{a23:9 Lit. count} among the nations.ISV — Numbers 23:9

10 Who can count the dust of Jacob? Who can number the dust of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, and may I end up like him.”ISV — Numbers 23:10

11 “What are you doing to me?” Balak asked Balaam. “I brought you to curse my enemies, not pronounce a blessing!”ISV — Numbers 23:11

12 But in response, Balaam asked, “Shouldn’t I be careful to communicate only what the LORD puts in my mouth?”ISV — Numbers 23:12

13 “Come with me to another place where you can see them,” Balak replied. “You’ll only see a portion of them, because you won’t be able to see them completely. Come and curse them from there for me.”ISV — Numbers 23:13

14 So Balak ^{b23:14 Lit. he} took him to the field of Zophim, and from there to the top of Mount ^{c23:14 The Heb. lacks Mount} Pisgah, where he built seven altars and then offered a bull and a ram on each altar.ISV — Numbers 23:14

15 Then he told Balak, “Stand by your offering while I go alone to meet the LORD.” ^{d23:15 The Heb. lacks with the LORD}ISV — Numbers 23:15

16 Then the LORD met with Balaam and gave a message to him. “Now go back to Balak and speak to him.”ISV — Numbers 23:16

17 So Balaam returned to where Balak had been standing, that is, next to his offerings, accompanied by the Moabite officials. “What did the LORD say?” Balak asked him.ISV — Numbers 23:17

18 In response, Balaam uttered this prophetic statement: “Stand up, Balak, and pay attention! Listen to me, you son of Zippor!ISV — Numbers 23:18

19 God is not a human male— he doesn’t lie, nor is he a human being— he never vacillates. Once he speaks up, he’s going to act, isn’t he? Once he makes a promise, he’ll fulfill it, won’t he?ISV — Numbers 23:19

20 Look! I’ve received a blessing, and so I will bless. I won’t withdraw it.ISV — Numbers 23:20

21 He has not responded to iniquity in Jacob or gazed at mischief in Israel. The LORD his God is with them, and the triumphant cry of a king is among them.ISV — Numbers 23:21

22 From Egypt God brought them— his strength was like a wild ox!ISV — Numbers 23:22

23 No Satanic plan against Jacob nor divination against Israel can ever prevail. When the time is right, it is to be asked about Jacob and Israel, ‘What has God accomplished?’ISV — Numbers 23:23

24 Look! The people are like lions. Like the lion, he rises up! He does not lie down again until he has consumed his prey and drunk the blood of the slain.”ISV — Numbers 23:24

25 Then Balak told Balaam, “Don’t curse them or bless them!”ISV — Numbers 23:25

26 “Didn’t I tell you,” Balaam responded to Balak, “that I’ll say whatever the LORD tells me to say?”ISV — Numbers 23:26

27 So Balak exhorted Balaam, “Let’s go right now! I’ll take you to another place. Maybe God will agree to have you curse them for me from there.”ISV — Numbers 23:27

28 So Balak took Balaam to the top of Mount ^{e23:28 The Heb. lacks Mount} Peor, which overlooks the open wilderness. ^{f23:28 Lit. the Jeshimon; a desert wasteland not suitable for agriculture or human habitation}ISV — Numbers 23:28

29 Balaam told Balak, “Build seven altars for me right here. Then prepare seven bulls and seven rams.”ISV — Numbers 23:29

30 Balak did just what Balaam had instructed—he offered a bull and a ram on each altar.ISV — Numbers 23:30