Numbers 23:27-Numbers 24:14 - Balaam's Third Oracle
27 Balak replied: Come with me. 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. He offered a bull and a ram on each altar.
1 Balaam knew that Jehovah wanted him to bless the people of Israel. So he did not go to look for omens, as he had done before. He turned toward the desert. 2 There he saw the people of Israel camped tribe by tribe. The Spirit of God took control of him. 3 He uttered this prophecy: The message of Balaam son of Beor. These are the words of the man who can see clearly. 4 The oracle of him who hears the words of God and who sees the vision of the Almighty. Falling down, yet having his eyes open. 5 How good are your tents, O Jacob, Your dwellings, O Israel! 6 They are like valleys that stretch out, like gardens beside the river, like aloes planted by Jehovah, like cedars beside the waters. 7 Water will flow from his buckets and his seed will be by many waters. His king shall be higher than Agag. And his kingdom shall be exalted. 8 God brings him out of Egypt. He is for him like the horns of the wild bull. He will devour the nations who are his adversaries. He will crush their bones in pieces and shatter them with his arrows. 9 He bows down and he lies down like a lion. Like a lion, who dares rouse him? Blessed is everyone who blesses you! Cursed is everyone who curses you!
10 Balak's anger burned against Balaam. He struck his hands together and Balak said to Balaam: I called you to curse my enemies! But you have persisted in blessing them three times! 11 Therefore, run away to your place now. I said: I will honor you greatly, but Jehovah has held you back from honor.
12 Balaam replied to Balak: Did I not tell the messengers whom you sent to me: 13 Even if Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything contrary to the command of Jehovah either good or bad, of my own accord. What Jehovah speaks, that I will speak! 14 Now I am going to my people. Come along and I will advise you what this people will do to your people in the days to come.