17. So he went to him, and behold, he and the princes of Moab were standing beside his offering. Balak asked him, “What did Adonai say?”
18. So he uttered his oracle and said: “Rise, Balak! Hear me, son of Zippor!
19. God is not a man who lies, or a son of man who changes his mind! Does He speak and then not do it, or promise and not fulfill it?
20. Look, I received a command to bless. He has blessed—I cannot change it!
21. No misfortune is to be seen in Jacob, and no misery in Israel! Adonai their God is with them —the King’s shout is among them!
22. God is bringing them from Egypt with the strong horns of the wild ox!
23. There is no sorcery effective against Jacob, nor any divination against Israel! Now it will be said of Jacob and Israel, ‘See what God has done!’
24. The people rise like a lioness, like a lion who does not rest until he eats his prey and drinks his victim’s blood!”
25. Then Balak said to Balaam, “Do not curse them or bless them at all!”
26. Balaam answered and said to Balak, “Haven’t I told you, ‘All that Adonai says, I must do?’
27. Balak said to Balaam, “Come with me to another place. Perhaps it will be pleasing to God and you may curse them for me from there.”
28. So Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, overlooking the wasteland.
29. Balaam said to Balak, “Build me seven altars here, and prepare seven bulls and seven rams for me.”
30. Balak did just as Balaam said, and offered a bull and a ram on each altar.