9. I see them from the cliff tops;I watch them from the hills.I see a people who live by themselves,set apart from other nations.
10. Who can count Jacob’s descendants, as numerous as dust?Who can count even a fourth of Israel’s people?Let me die like the righteous;let my life end like theirs.”
11. Then King Balak demanded of Balaam, “What have you done to me? I brought you to curse my enemies. Instead, you have blessed them!”
12. But Balaam replied, “I will speak only the message that the lord puts in my mouth.”
13. Then King Balak told him, “Come with me to another place. There you will see another part of the nation of Israel, but not all of them. Curse at least that many!”
14. So Balak took Balaam to the plateau of Zophim on Pisgah Peak. He built seven altars there and offered a young bull and a ram on each altar.
15. Then Balaam said to the king, “Stand here by your burnt offerings while I go over there to meet the lord.”
16. And the lord met Balaam and gave him a message. Then he said, “Go back to Balak and give him my message.”
17. So Balaam returned and found the king standing beside his burnt offerings with all the officials of Moab. “What did the lord say?” Balak asked eagerly.
18. This was the message Balaam delivered:“Rise up, Balak, and listen!Hear me, son of Zippor.
19. God is not a man, so he does not lie.He is not human, so he does not change his mind.Has he ever spoken and failed to act?Has he ever promised and not carried it through?
20. Listen, I received a command to bless;God has blessed, and I cannot reverse it!
21. No misfortune is in his plan for Jacob;no trouble is in store for Israel.For the lord their God is with them;he has been proclaimed their king.
22. God brought them out of Egypt;for them he is as strong as a wild ox.
23. No curse can touch Jacob;no magic has any power against Israel.For now it will be said of Jacob,‘What wonders God has done for Israel!’