Numbers 23:7-12 - Balaam's First Oracle

⁷ Then Balaam uttered this prophetic statement: "King Balak of Moab brought me from Aram, from the eastern mountains, and told me, "Come and curse Jacob for me. Come and curse Israel.' ⁸ But how can I curse those whom God hasn't cursed? How can I denounce those whom the LORD hasn't denounced? ⁹ I saw them from the top of the rocks. I watched them from the hills. Truly this is a people that lives by itself and doesn't matter among the nations. ¹⁰ Who can count the dust of Jacob? Who can number the dust of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, and may I end up like him."

¹¹ "What are you doing to me?" Balak asked Balaam. "I brought you to curse my enemies, not pronounce a blessing!"

¹² But in response, Balaam asked, "Shouldn't I be careful to communicate only what the LORD puts in my mouth?"