Numbers 23:1-8 ▼

1 And Balaam said unto Balak: 'Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven bullocks and seven rams.'

2 And Balak did as Balaam had spoken; and Balak and Balaam offered on every altar a bullock and a ram.

3 And Balaam said unto Balak: 'Stand by thy burnt-offering, and I will go; peradventure the LORD will come to meet me; and whatsoever He showeth me I will tell thee.' And he went to a bare height.

4 And God met Balaam; and he said unto Him: 'I have prepared the seven altars, and I have offered up a bullock and a ram on every altar.'

5 And the LORD put a word in Balaam's mouth, and said: 'Return unto Balak, and thus thou shalt speak.'

6 And he returned unto him, and, lo, he stood by his burnt-offering, he, and all the princes of Moab.

7 And he took up his parable, and said: From Aram Balak bringeth me, The king of Moab from the mountains of the East: 'Come, curse me Jacob, And come, execrate Israel.'

8 How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed? And how shall I execrate, whom the LORD hath not execrated?