13. Then Balak said to Balaam, “Come with me to another place from which you can see only some of the Israelites. Curse them for me from there.”
14. He took him to the field of Zophim on the top of Mount Pisgah. There also he built seven altars and offered a bull and a ram on each of them.
15. Balaam said to Balak, “Stand here by your burnt offering, and I will meet God over there.”
16. The Lord met Balaam, told him what to say, and sent him back to Balak to give him his message.
17. So he went back and found Balak still standing by his burnt offering, with the leaders of Moab. Balak asked what the Lord had said,
18. and Balaam uttered this prophecy:“Come, Balak son of Zippor,And listen to what I have to say.
19. God is not like men, who lie;He is not a human who changes his mind.Whatever he promises, he does;He speaks, and it is done.
20. I have been instructed to bless,And when God blesses, I cannot call it back.
21. I foresee that Israel's futureWill bring her no misfortune or trouble.The Lord their God is with them;They proclaim that he is their king.
22. God has brought them out of Egypt;He fights for them like a wild ox.
23. There is no magic charm, no witchcraft,That can be used against the nation of Israel.Now people will say about Israel,‘Look what God has done!’
24. The nation of Israel is like a mighty lion:It doesn't rest until it has torn and devoured,Until it has drunk the blood of those it has killed.”
25. Then Balak said to Balaam, “You refuse to curse the people of Israel, but at least don't bless them!”