Numbers 23:1-8 ▼

1 Balaam told Balak, |Build for me here seven altars and prepare here for me seven bulls and seven rams.|

2 So Balak did just as Balaam instructed. Balak and Balaam offered a bull and a ram on each altar.

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,

4 where the LORD met with Balaam, who told him, |I've prepared seven altars and offered bulls and rams on an altar.|

5 Then the LORD gave Balaam this message. |Return to Balak and speak to him.|

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

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.'

8 But how can I curse those whom God hasn't cursed? How can I denounce those whom the LORD hasn't denounced?