Numbers 23:1-30 GNT

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