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<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
    <div class="book bkNUM">
        <div class="chapter ch22" data-usfm="NUM.22">
            <div class="label">22</div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Balak Summons Balaam</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="NUM.22.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">Then the Israelites traveled to the plains of Moab and camped along the Jordan across from Jericho.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="NUM.22.1"></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="NUM.22.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">Now Balak son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites, </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="NUM.22.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">and Moab was terrified because there were so many people. Indeed, Moab was filled with dread because of the Israelites.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="NUM.22.3"></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="NUM.22.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">The Moabites said to the elders of Midian, &#8220;This horde is going to lick up everything around us, as an ox licks up the grass of the field.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="NUM.22.4"><span class="content">So Balak son of Zippor, who was king of Moab at that time, </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="NUM.22.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">sent messengers to summon Balaam son of Beor, who was at Pethor, near the Euphrates River, in his native land. Balak said:</span></span></div><div class="pm"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="NUM.22.5"><span class="content">&#8220;A people has come out of Egypt; they cover the face of the land and have settled next to me. </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="NUM.22.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">Now come and put a curse on these people, because they are too powerful for me. Perhaps then I will be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land. For I know that whoever you bless is blessed, and whoever you curse is cursed.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="NUM.22.6"></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="NUM.22.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">The elders of Moab and Midian left, taking with them the fee for divination. When they came to Balaam, they told him what Balak had said.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="NUM.22.7"></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="NUM.22.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">&#8220;Spend the night here,&#8221; Balaam said to them, &#8220;and I will report back to you with the answer the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> gives me.&#8221; So the Moabite officials stayed with him.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="NUM.22.8"></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="NUM.22.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">God came to Balaam and asked, &#8220;Who are these men with you?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="NUM.22.9"></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="NUM.22.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">Balaam said to God, &#8220;Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab, sent me this message: </span></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="NUM.22.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">&#8216;A people that has come out of Egypt covers the face of the land. Now come and put a curse on them for me. Perhaps then I will be able to fight them and drive them away.&#8217;&#8198;&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="NUM.22.11"></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="NUM.22.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">But God said to Balaam, &#8220;Do not go with them. You must not put a curse on those people, because they are blessed.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="NUM.22.12"></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="NUM.22.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">The next morning Balaam got up and said to Balak&#8217;s officials, &#8220;Go back to your own country, for the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> has refused to let me go with you.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="NUM.22.13"></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="NUM.22.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">So the Moabite officials returned to Balak and said, &#8220;Balaam refused to come with us.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="NUM.22.14"></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="NUM.22.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">Then Balak sent other officials, more numerous and more distinguished than the first. </span></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="NUM.22.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content">They came to Balaam and said:</span></span></div><div class="pm"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="NUM.22.16"><span class="content">&#8220;This is what Balak son of Zippor says: Do not let anything keep you from coming to me, </span></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="NUM.22.17"><span class="label">17</span><span class="content">because I will reward you handsomely and do whatever you say. Come and put a curse on these people for me.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="NUM.22.17"></span><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="NUM.22.18"><span class="label">18</span><span class="content">But Balaam answered them, &#8220;Even if Balak gave me all the silver and gold in his palace, I could not do anything great or small to go beyond the command of the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> my God. </span></span><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="NUM.22.19"><span class="label">19</span><span class="content">Now spend the night here so that I can find out what else the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> will tell me.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="NUM.22.19"></span><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="NUM.22.20"><span class="label">20</span><span class="content">That night God came to Balaam and said, &#8220;Since these men have come to summon you, go with them, but do only what I tell you.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Balaam&#8217;s Donkey</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="NUM.22.20"></span><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="NUM.22.21"><span class="label">21</span><span class="content">Balaam got up in the morning, saddled his donkey and went with the Moabite officials. </span></span><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="NUM.22.22"><span class="label">22</span><span class="content">But God was very angry when he went, and the angel of the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> stood in the road to oppose him. Balaam was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him. </span></span><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="NUM.22.23"><span class="label">23</span><span class="content">When the donkey saw the angel of the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand, it turned off the road into a field. Balaam beat it to get it back on the road.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="NUM.22.23"></span><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="NUM.22.24"><span class="label">24</span><span class="content">Then the angel of the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> stood in a narrow path through the vineyards, with walls on both sides. </span></span><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="NUM.22.25"><span class="label">25</span><span class="content">When the donkey saw the angel of the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">, it pressed close to the wall, crushing Balaam&#8217;s foot against it. So he beat the donkey again.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="NUM.22.25"></span><span class="verse v26" data-usfm="NUM.22.26"><span class="label">26</span><span class="content">Then the angel of the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> moved on ahead and stood in a narrow place where there was no room to turn, either to the right or to the left. </span></span><span class="verse v27" data-usfm="NUM.22.27"><span class="label">27</span><span class="content">When the donkey saw the angel of the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">, it lay down under Balaam, and he was angry and beat it with his staff. </span></span><span class="verse v28" data-usfm="NUM.22.28"><span class="label">28</span><span class="content">Then the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> opened the donkey&#8217;s mouth, and it said to Balaam, &#8220;What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v28" data-usfm="NUM.22.28"></span><span class="verse v29" data-usfm="NUM.22.29"><span class="label">29</span><span class="content">Balaam answered the donkey, &#8220;You have made a fool of me! If only I had a sword in my hand, I would kill you right now.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v29" data-usfm="NUM.22.29"></span><span class="verse v30" data-usfm="NUM.22.30"><span class="label">30</span><span class="content">The donkey said to Balaam, &#8220;Am I not your own donkey, which you have always ridden, to this day? Have I been in the habit of doing this to you?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v30" data-usfm="NUM.22.30"><span class="content">&#8220;No,&#8221; he said.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v30" data-usfm="NUM.22.30"></span><span class="verse v31" data-usfm="NUM.22.31"><span class="label">31</span><span class="content">Then the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> opened Balaam&#8217;s eyes, and he saw the angel of the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> standing in the road with his sword drawn. So he bowed low and fell facedown.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v31" data-usfm="NUM.22.31"></span><span class="verse v32" data-usfm="NUM.22.32"><span class="label">32</span><span class="content">The angel of the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> asked him, &#8220;Why have you beaten your donkey these three times? I have come here to oppose you because your path is a reckless one before me.</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class="body"><span class="fr">22:32 </span><span class="ft">The meaning of the Hebrew for this clause is uncertain.</span></span></span><span class="content"> </span></span><span class="verse v33" data-usfm="NUM.22.33"><span class="label">33</span><span class="content">The donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times. If it had not turned away, I would certainly have killed you by now, but I would have spared it.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v33" data-usfm="NUM.22.33"></span><span class="verse v34" data-usfm="NUM.22.34"><span class="label">34</span><span class="content">Balaam said to the angel of the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">, &#8220;I have sinned. I did not realize you were standing in the road to oppose me. Now if you are displeased, I will go back.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v34" data-usfm="NUM.22.34"></span><span class="verse v35" data-usfm="NUM.22.35"><span class="label">35</span><span class="content">The angel of the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> said to Balaam, &#8220;Go with the men, but speak only what I tell you.&#8221; So Balaam went with Balak&#8217;s officials.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v35" data-usfm="NUM.22.35"></span><span class="verse v36" data-usfm="NUM.22.36"><span class="label">36</span><span class="content">When Balak heard that Balaam was coming, he went out to meet him at the Moabite town on the Arnon border, at the edge of his territory. </span></span><span class="verse v37" data-usfm="NUM.22.37"><span class="label">37</span><span class="content">Balak said to Balaam, &#8220;Did I not send you an urgent summons? Why didn&#8217;t you come to me? Am I really not able to reward you?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v37" data-usfm="NUM.22.37"></span><span class="verse v38" data-usfm="NUM.22.38"><span class="label">38</span><span class="content">&#8220;Well, I have come to you now,&#8221; Balaam replied. &#8220;But I can&#8217;t say whatever I please. I must speak only what God puts in my mouth.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v38" data-usfm="NUM.22.38"></span><span class="verse v39" data-usfm="NUM.22.39"><span class="label">39</span><span class="content">Then Balaam went with Balak to Kiriath Huzoth. </span></span><span class="verse v40" data-usfm="NUM.22.40"><span class="label">40</span><span class="content">Balak sacrificed cattle and sheep, and gave some to Balaam and the officials who were with him. </span></span><span class="verse v41" data-usfm="NUM.22.41"><span class="label">41</span><span class="content">The next morning Balak took Balaam up to Bamoth Baal, and from there he could see the outskirts of the Israelite camp.</span></span></div>
        </div>
    </div>
</div>

<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
    <div class="book bkNUM">
        <div class="chapter ch23" data-usfm="NUM.23">
            <div class="label">23</div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Balaam&#8217;s First Message</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="NUM.23.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">Balaam said, &#8220;Build me seven altars here, and prepare seven bulls and seven rams for me.&#8221; </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="NUM.23.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">Balak did as Balaam said, and the two of them offered a bull and a ram on each altar.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="NUM.23.2"></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="NUM.23.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">Then Balaam said to Balak, &#8220;Stay here beside your offering while I go aside. Perhaps the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> will come to meet with me. Whatever he reveals to me I will tell you.&#8221; Then he went off to a barren height.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="NUM.23.3"></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="NUM.23.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">God met with him, and Balaam said, &#8220;I have prepared seven altars, and on each altar I have offered a bull and a ram.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="NUM.23.4"></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="NUM.23.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">The </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> put a word in Balaam&#8217;s mouth and said, &#8220;Go back to Balak and give him this word.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="NUM.23.5"></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="NUM.23.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">So he went back to him and found him standing beside his offering, with all the Moabite officials. </span></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="NUM.23.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">Then Balaam spoke his message:</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="NUM.23.7"><span class="content">&#8220;Balak brought me from Aram,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="NUM.23.7"><span class="content">the king of Moab from the eastern mountains.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="NUM.23.7"><span class="content">&#8216;Come,&#8217; he said, &#8216;curse Jacob for me;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="NUM.23.7"><span class="content">come, denounce Israel.&#8217;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="NUM.23.7"></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="NUM.23.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">How can I curse</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="NUM.23.8"><span class="content">those whom God has not cursed?</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="NUM.23.8"><span class="content">How can I denounce</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="NUM.23.8"><span class="content">those whom the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> has not denounced?</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="NUM.23.8"></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="NUM.23.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">From the rocky peaks I see them,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="NUM.23.9"><span class="content">from the heights I view them.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="NUM.23.9"><span class="content">I see a people who live apart</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="NUM.23.9"><span class="content">and do not consider themselves one of the nations.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="NUM.23.9"></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="NUM.23.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">Who can count the dust of Jacob</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="NUM.23.10"><span class="content">or number even a fourth of Israel?</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="NUM.23.10"><span class="content">Let me die the death of the righteous,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="NUM.23.10"><span class="content">and may my final end be like theirs!&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="NUM.23.10"></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="NUM.23.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">Balak said to Balaam, &#8220;What have you done to me? I brought you to curse my enemies, but you have done nothing but bless them!&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="NUM.23.11"></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="NUM.23.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">He answered, &#8220;Must I not speak what the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> puts in my mouth?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Balaam&#8217;s Second Message</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="NUM.23.12"></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="NUM.23.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">Then Balak said to him, &#8220;Come with me to another place where you can see them; you will not see them all but only the outskirts of their camp. And from there, curse them for me.&#8221; </span></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="NUM.23.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">So he took him to the field of Zophim on the top of Pisgah, and there he built seven altars and offered a bull and a ram on each altar.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="NUM.23.14"></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="NUM.23.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">Balaam said to Balak, &#8220;Stay here beside your offering while I meet with him over there.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="NUM.23.15"></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="NUM.23.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content">The </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> met with Balaam and put a word in his mouth and said, &#8220;Go back to Balak and give him this word.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="NUM.23.16"></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="NUM.23.17"><span class="label">17</span><span class="content">So he went to him and found him standing beside his offering, with the Moabite officials. Balak asked him, &#8220;What did the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> say?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="NUM.23.17"></span><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="NUM.23.18"><span class="label">18</span><span class="content">Then he spoke his message:</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="NUM.23.18"><span class="content">&#8220;Arise, Balak, and listen;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="NUM.23.18"><span class="content">hear me, son of Zippor.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="NUM.23.18"></span><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="NUM.23.19"><span class="label">19</span><span class="content">God is not human, that he should lie,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="NUM.23.19"><span class="content">not a human being, that he should change his mind.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="NUM.23.19"><span class="content">Does he speak and then not act?</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="NUM.23.19"><span class="content">Does he promise and not fulfill?</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="NUM.23.19"></span><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="NUM.23.20"><span class="label">20</span><span class="content">I have received a command to bless;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="NUM.23.20"><span class="content">he has blessed, and I cannot change it.</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="NUM.23.20"></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="NUM.23.20"></span><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="NUM.23.21"><span class="label">21</span><span class="content">&#8220;No misfortune is seen in Jacob,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="NUM.23.21"><span class="content">no misery observed</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class="body"><span class="fr">23:21 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="fqa">He has not looked on Jacob&#8217;s offenses / or on the wrongs found</span></span></span><span class="content"> in Israel.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="NUM.23.21"><span class="content">The </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> their God is with them;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="NUM.23.21"><span class="content">the shout of the King is among them.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="NUM.23.21"></span><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="NUM.23.22"><span class="label">22</span><span class="content">God brought them out of Egypt;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="NUM.23.22"><span class="content">they have the strength of a wild ox.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="NUM.23.22"></span><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="NUM.23.23"><span class="label">23</span><span class="content">There is no divination against</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class="body"><span class="fr">23:23 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="fqa">in</span></span></span><span class="content"> Jacob,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="NUM.23.23"><span class="content">no evil omens against</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class="body"><span class="fr">23:23 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="fqa">in</span></span></span><span class="content"> Israel.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="NUM.23.23"><span class="content">It will now be said of Jacob</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="NUM.23.23"><span class="content">and of Israel, &#8216;See what God has done!&#8217;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="NUM.23.23"></span><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="NUM.23.24"><span class="label">24</span><span class="content">The people rise like a lioness;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="NUM.23.24"><span class="content">they rouse themselves like a lion</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="NUM.23.24"><span class="content">that does not rest till it devours its prey</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="NUM.23.24"><span class="content">and drinks the blood of its victims.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="NUM.23.24"></span><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="NUM.23.25"><span class="label">25</span><span class="content">Then Balak said to Balaam, &#8220;Neither curse them at all nor bless them at all!&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="NUM.23.25"></span><span class="verse v26" data-usfm="NUM.23.26"><span class="label">26</span><span class="content">Balaam answered, &#8220;Did I not tell you I must do whatever the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> says?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Balaam&#8217;s Third Message</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v26" data-usfm="NUM.23.26"></span><span class="verse v27" data-usfm="NUM.23.27"><span class="label">27</span><span class="content">Then Balak said to Balaam, &#8220;Come, let me take you to another place. Perhaps it will please God to let you curse them for me from there.&#8221; </span></span><span class="verse v28" data-usfm="NUM.23.28"><span class="label">28</span><span class="content">And Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, overlooking the wasteland.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v28" data-usfm="NUM.23.28"></span><span class="verse v29" data-usfm="NUM.23.29"><span class="label">29</span><span class="content">Balaam said, &#8220;Build me seven altars here, and prepare seven bulls and seven rams for me.&#8221; </span></span><span class="verse v30" data-usfm="NUM.23.30"><span class="label">30</span><span class="content">Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered a bull and a ram on each altar.</span></span></div>
        </div>
    </div>
</div>

<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
    <div class="book bkNUM">
        <div class="chapter ch24" data-usfm="NUM.24">
            <div class="label">24</div><div class="p"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="NUM.24.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">Now when Balaam saw that it pleased the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> to bless Israel, he did not resort to divination as at other times, but turned his face toward the wilderness. </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="NUM.24.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">When Balaam looked out and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came on him </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="NUM.24.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">and he spoke his message:</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="NUM.24.3"><span class="content">&#8220;The prophecy of Balaam son of Beor,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="NUM.24.3"><span class="content">the prophecy of one whose eye sees clearly,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="NUM.24.3"></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="NUM.24.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">the prophecy of one who hears the words of God,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="NUM.24.4"><span class="content">who sees a vision from the Almighty,</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class="body"><span class="fr">24:4 </span><span class="ft">Hebrew </span><span class="fqa">Shaddai</span><span class="ft">; also in verse 16</span></span></span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="NUM.24.4"><span class="content">who falls prostrate, and whose eyes are opened:</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="NUM.24.4"></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="NUM.24.4"></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="NUM.24.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">&#8220;How beautiful are your tents, Jacob,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="NUM.24.5"><span class="content">your dwelling places, Israel!</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="NUM.24.5"></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="NUM.24.5"></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="NUM.24.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">&#8220;Like valleys they spread out,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="NUM.24.6"><span class="content">like gardens beside a river,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="NUM.24.6"><span class="content">like aloes planted by the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="NUM.24.6"><span class="content">like cedars beside the waters.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="NUM.24.6"></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="NUM.24.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">Water will flow from their buckets;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="NUM.24.7"><span class="content">their seed will have abundant water.</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="NUM.24.7"></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="NUM.24.7"><span class="content">&#8220;Their king will be greater than Agag;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="NUM.24.7"><span class="content">their kingdom will be exalted.</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="NUM.24.7"></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="NUM.24.7"></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="NUM.24.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">&#8220;God brought them out of Egypt;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="NUM.24.8"><span class="content">they have the strength of a wild ox.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="NUM.24.8"><span class="content">They devour hostile nations</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="NUM.24.8"><span class="content">and break their bones in pieces;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="NUM.24.8"><span class="content">with their arrows they pierce them.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="NUM.24.8"></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="NUM.24.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">Like a lion they crouch and lie down,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="NUM.24.9"><span class="content">like a lioness&#8212;who dares to rouse them?</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="NUM.24.9"></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="NUM.24.9"><span class="content">&#8220;May those who bless you be blessed</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="NUM.24.9"><span class="content">and those who curse you be cursed!&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="NUM.24.9"></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="NUM.24.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">Then Balak&#8217;s anger burned against Balaam. He struck his hands together and said to him, &#8220;I summoned you to curse my enemies, but you have blessed them these three times. </span></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="NUM.24.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">Now leave at once and go home! I said I would reward you handsomely, but the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> has kept you from being rewarded.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="NUM.24.11"></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="NUM.24.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">Balaam answered Balak, &#8220;Did I not tell the messengers you sent me, </span></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="NUM.24.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">&#8216;Even if Balak gave me all the silver and gold in his palace, I could not do anything of my own accord, good or bad, to go beyond the command of the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">&#8212;and I must say only what the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> says&#8217;? </span></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="NUM.24.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">Now I am going back to my people, but come, let me warn you of what this people will do to your people in days to come.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Balaam&#8217;s Fourth Message</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="NUM.24.14"></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="NUM.24.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">Then he spoke his message:</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="NUM.24.15"><span class="content">&#8220;The prophecy of Balaam son of Beor,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="NUM.24.15"><span class="content">the prophecy of one whose eye sees clearly,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="NUM.24.15"></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="NUM.24.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content">the prophecy of one who hears the words of God,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="NUM.24.16"><span class="content">who has knowledge from the Most High,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="NUM.24.16"><span class="content">who sees a vision from the Almighty,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="NUM.24.16"><span class="content">who falls prostrate, and whose eyes are opened:</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="NUM.24.16"></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="NUM.24.16"></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="NUM.24.17"><span class="label">17</span><span class="content">&#8220;I see him, but not now;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="NUM.24.17"><span class="content">I behold him, but not near.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="NUM.24.17"><span class="content">A star will come out of Jacob;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="NUM.24.17"><span class="content">a scepter will rise out of Israel.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="NUM.24.17"><span class="content">He will crush the foreheads of Moab,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="NUM.24.17"><span class="content">the skulls</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class="body"><span class="fr">24:17 </span><span class="ft">Samaritan Pentateuch (see also <span class="ref" usfm="JER.48.45">Jer. 48:45</span>); the meaning of the word in the Masoretic Text is uncertain.</span></span></span><span class="content"> of</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class="body"><span class="fr">24:17 </span><span class="ft">Or possibly </span><span class="fqa">Moab, / batter</span></span></span><span class="content"> all the people of Sheth.</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class="body"><span class="fr">24:17 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="fqa">all the noisy boasters</span></span></span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="NUM.24.17"></span><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="NUM.24.18"><span class="label">18</span><span class="content">Edom will be conquered;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="NUM.24.18"><span class="content">Seir, his enemy, will be conquered,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="NUM.24.18"><span class="content">but Israel will grow strong.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="NUM.24.18"></span><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="NUM.24.19"><span class="label">19</span><span class="content">A ruler will come out of Jacob</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="NUM.24.19"><span class="content">and destroy the survivors of the city.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Balaam&#8217;s Fifth Message</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="NUM.24.19"></span><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="NUM.24.20"><span class="label">20</span><span class="content">Then Balaam saw Amalek and spoke his message:</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="NUM.24.20"><span class="content">&#8220;Amalek was first among the nations,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="NUM.24.20"><span class="content">but their end will be utter destruction.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Balaam&#8217;s Sixth Message</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="NUM.24.20"></span><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="NUM.24.21"><span class="label">21</span><span class="content">Then he saw the Kenites and spoke his message:</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="NUM.24.21"><span class="content">&#8220;Your dwelling place is secure,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="NUM.24.21"><span class="content">your nest is set in a rock;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="NUM.24.21"></span><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="NUM.24.22"><span class="label">22</span><span class="content">yet you Kenites will be destroyed</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="NUM.24.22"><span class="content">when Ashur takes you captive.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Balaam&#8217;s Seventh Message</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="NUM.24.22"></span><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="NUM.24.23"><span class="label">23</span><span class="content">Then he spoke his message:</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="NUM.24.23"><span class="content">&#8220;Alas! Who can live when God does this?</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class="body"><span class="fr">24:23 </span><span class="ft">Masoretic Text; with a different word division of the Hebrew </span><span class="fqa">The people from the islands will gather from the north.</span></span></span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="NUM.24.23"></span><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="NUM.24.24"><span class="label">24</span><span class="content">Ships will come from the shores of Cyprus;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="NUM.24.24"><span class="content">they will subdue Ashur and Eber,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="NUM.24.24"><span class="content">but they too will come to ruin.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="NUM.24.24"></span><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="NUM.24.25"><span class="label">25</span><span class="content">Then Balaam got up and returned home, and Balak went his own way.</span></span></div>
        </div>
    </div>
</div>

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