Numbers - Chapter 23 | Good News Translation

  • 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.
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