Numbers 23:7-12 - Balaam's First Oracle
7 Balaam delivered this message: Balak brought me from Aram. The king of Moab summoned me from the eastern mountains. Come and curse Jacob for me, he said. 'Come and condemn Israel. 8 How can I curse those whom God has not cursed? How can I condemn those whom Jehovah has not condemned? 9 I see them from the top of rocky cliffs. I look at them from the hills. I see a nation that lives by itself! These are people who do not consider themselves to be like other nations. 10 The descendants of Jacob are like specks of dust. Who can count them or number even one-fourth of the people of Israel? Let me die the death of innocent people. Let my end be like theirs.'
11 Balak responded 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 Balaam answered: I must say what Jehovah tells me to say.