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,people who do not consider themselvesto be like other nations.
10. The descendants of Jacob are like specks of dust.Who can count themor 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 said to Balaam, “What have you done to me? I brought you here to curse my enemies, but all you’ve done is bless them!”
12. Balaam answered, “I must say what the Lord tells me to say.”
13. Then Balak said to him, “Please come with me to another place, where you can see the Israelites. You will see only some of them, not all of them. Curse them for me from there.”
14. So he took him to the Field of Zophim on top of Mount Pisgah, where he built seven altars. He offered a bull and a ram on each altar.
15. Then Balaam said to Balak, “Stay here beside your burnt offering while I meet with God over there.”
16. The Lord came to Balaam and told him, “Go back to Balak, and give him my message.”
17. He came to Balak and found him standing beside his burnt offering with the princes of Moab. Balak asked him, “What did the Lord say?”
18. Then Balaam delivered this message:“Stand up, Balak, and listen!Hear me, son of Zippor!
19. God is not like people. He tells no lies.He is not like humans. He doesn’t change his mind.When he says something, he does it.When he makes a promise, he keeps it.
20. I have received a command to bless.He has blessed, and I can’t change it.