民23:24The people rise like a lioness; they rouse themselves like a lion that does not rest till he devours his prey and drinks the blood of his victims."

民23:25Then Balak said to Balaam, "Neither curse them at all nor bless them at all!"

民23:26Balaam answered, "Did I not tell you I must do whatever the Lord says?"

民23:27Then Balak said to Balaam, "Come, let me take you to another place. Perhaps it will please God to let you curse them for me from there."

民23:28And Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, overlooking the wasteland.

民23:29Balaam said, "Build me seven altars here, and prepare seven bulls and seven rams for me."

民23:30Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered a bull and a ram on each altar.

民24:1Now when Balaam saw that it pleased the Lord to bless Israel, he did not resort to sorcery as at other times, but turned his face toward the desert.

民24:2When Balaam looked out and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came upon him

民24:3and he uttered his oracle: "The oracle of Balaam son of Beor, the oracle of one whose eye sees clearly,

民24:4the oracle of one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who falls prostrate, and whose eyes are opened:

民24:5How beautiful are your tents, O Jacob, your dwelling places, O Israel!

民24:6Like valleys they spread out, like gardens beside a river, like aloes planted by the Lord , like cedars beside the waters.

民24:7Water will flow from their buckets; their seed will have abundant water. "Their king will be greater than Agag; their kingdom will be exalted.

民24:8God brought them out of Egypt; they have the strength of a wild ox. They devour hostile nations and break their bones in pieces; with their arrows they pierce them.

民24:9Like a lion they crouch and lie down, like a lioness-who dares to rouse them? "May those who bless you be blessed and those who curse you be cursed!"

民24:10Then Balak's anger burned against Balaam. He struck his hands together and said to him, "I summoned you to curse my enemies, but you have blessed them these three times.

民24:11Now leave at once and go home! I said I would reward you handsomely, but the Lord has kept you from being rewarded."

民24:12Balaam answered Balak, "Did I not tell the messengers you sent me,

民24:13'Even if Balak gave me his palace filled with silver and gold, I could not do anything of my own accord, good or bad, to go beyond the command of the Lord -and I must say only what the Lord says'?