[23:13] 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.”
[23:14] 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.
[23:15] Balaam said to Balak, “Stand here by your burnt offering, and I will meet God over there.”
[23:16] The Lord met Balaam, told him what to say, and sent him back to Balak to give him his message.
[23:17] 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,
[23:18] and Balaam uttered this prophecy: “Come, Balak son of Zippor, And listen to what I have to say.
[23:19] 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.
[23:20] I have been instructed to bless, And when God blesses, I cannot call it back.
[23:21] 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.
[23:22] God has brought them out of Egypt; He fights for them like a wild ox.
[23:23] 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!’
[23:24] 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.”
[23:25] Then Balak said to Balaam, “You refuse to curse the people of Israel, but at least don't bless them!”
[23:26] Balaam answered, “Didn't I tell you that I had to do everything that the Lord told me?”