Balaam Blesses Israel

1 At that time Moses killed Seon and Og, the kings of the Amorites, and divided all their land among his people, and they lived in it. 2 But Balac was the king of Moab, who lived opposite them, and he was greatly afraid, and sent to Balaam the son of Beor, the interpreter of dreams, who lived in Mesopotamia, and charged him, saying, “I know that in the reign of my father Sefor, when the Amorites fought against him, you cursed them and they were handed over before him. Now come and curse this people, for they are more numerous than we are, and I will do you great honor.” 3 Balaam said, “This is good in the sight of Balac, but he does not know that the counsel of God is not like the counsel of man. He does not know that the spirit given to us is given for a time, and our ways are not guided unless God wills. Now stay here, and I will see what the Lord will say to me this night.” 4 In the night God said to him, “Who are the men who have come to you?” Balaam said, “Why, Lord, do you test the race of man? They cannot bear it, for you knew, more than they, all that was in the world before you founded it. Now enlighten your servant whether it is right that I go with them.” 5 God said to him, “Was it not concerning this people that I spoke to Abraham in a vision, saying, ‘Your offspring will be as the stars of heaven, when I raised him up above the firmament and showed him all the orderings of the stars,⁠a and required of him his son for a burnt offering’?⁠b He brought him to be laid on the altar, but I restored him to his father. And because he did not resist, his offering was acceptable in my sight, and for the blood of him I chose this people. Then I said to the angels who work subtly, ‘Did I not say of him, “To Abraham I will reveal all that I do”?’ 6 “Jacob also, when he wrestled in the dust with the angel who was over the praises, did not let him go until he blessed him. And now, you think to go with these men and curse those whom I have chosen. But if you curse them, who is it that will bless you?” 7 Balaam arose in the morning and said, “Go your way, for God will not let me come with you.” They went and told Balac all that Balaam had said. And Balac sent yet more men to Balaam, saying, “I know that when you offer burnt offerings to God, God will be reconciled with man. Now ask your Lord yet again, and entreat him with as many burnt offerings as he wishes. For if perhaps he will be appeased in my need, you will have your reward, if God accepts your offerings.” 8 Balaam said to them, “The son of Sephor is foolish, and does not know that he dwells close beside the dead. Now stay here this night, and I will see what God will say to me.” And God said to him, “Go with them, but your journey will be an offense, and Balac himself will go to destruction.” And he arose and went with them. 9 His she-donkey came by the way of the desert and saw the angel, and God opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel and worshiped him on the ground. And the angel said to him, “Hurry and go on, for what you say will come to pass with him.” 10 He came to the land of Moab and built an altar and offered sacrifices; and when he had seen part of the people, the spirit of God did not stay in him, and he took up his oracle and said, “Balac has brought me here to the mountain, saying, ‘Come, run into the fire of these men.’ But I cannot endure that fire which waters quench; yet that fire which consumes water, who can endure it?” And he said to him, “It is easier to take away the foundations and the topmost part of them, and to quench the light of the sun and darken the shining of the moon, than for one who wills it to root up the planting of the Most Mighty or spoil his vineyard.” And Balac himself has not known this, because his mind is puffed up, so that his destruction may come swiftly. 11 “For I see the inheritance that the Most Mighty showed me in the night, and the days are coming when Moab will be amazed at what happens to her, for Balac desired to persuade the Most Mighty with gifts and to buy a verdict with money. Should you not have asked what he sent upon Pharaoh and upon his land because he wanted to bring them into bondage? Here is a spreading vine, exceedingly desirable, and who will be jealous against it, for it does not wither? But if anyone says in his counsel that the Most Mighty has labored in vain or chosen them for no purpose, now I see the salvation of deliverance that is to come to them. I am restrained in the speech of my voice and cannot express what I see with my eyes, for only a little is left to me of the holy spirit that abides in me, since I know that because I was persuaded by Balac, I have lost the days of my life. 12 “Again I see the inheritance of the dwelling of this people, and its light shines above the brightness of lightning, and its running is swifter than arrows. The time will come when Moab will groan, and those who serve Ham will be weak, even those who took this counsel against them. But I will gnash my teeth, because I was deceived and transgressed what was said to me in the night. Yet my prophecy will remain plain, and my words will live, and the wise and prudent will remember my words; for when I cursed, I perished, and though I blessed, I was not blessed.” And when he had said this, he fell silent. And Balac said, “Your God has cheated you of many gifts from me.” 13 Then Balaam said to him, “Come, let us plan what you should do to them. Choose out the most beautiful women among you and in Midian, and set them before the people, naked and adorned with gold and jewels; and when they see them and lie with them, they will sin against their Lord and fall into your hands, for otherwise you cannot subdue them.” 14 And having said this, Balaam turned away and returned to his place. Afterward the people were led astray after the daughters of Moab, for Balac did all that Balaam had shown him.