Numbers 22:36-23:11

Common English Bible

Balaam and Balak meet

³⁶ When Balak heard that Balaam was coming, he went out to meet him at Ir-moab, which is on the border of the Arnon at the farthest point of the border. ³⁷ Balak said to Balaam, “Didn’t I send urgently and summon you? Why didn’t you come to me? Am I really not able to honor you?”

³⁸ Balaam said to Balak, “I’ve now come to you. But I’m only able to speak whatever word God gives me to say. That is what I will speak.”

Balaam’s first blessing of the Israelites

³⁹ Then Balaam went with Balak and they came to Kiriath-huzoth. ⁴⁰ Balak sacrificed oxen and sheep and sent them to Balaam and the officials who were with him. ⁴¹ In the morning Balak took Balaam and brought him up to Bamoth-baal, where he could see part of the people.

23 Balaam said to Balak, “Build me seven altars here and prepare for me seven bulls and seven rams.” ² Balak did as Balaam had said. Then Balak and Balaam offered a bull and a ram on each altar. ³ Balaam said to Balak, “Stay by your entirely burned offering. I will go and perhaps the Lord will grant me an appearance and speak. Whatever he shows me, I will tell you.” Then he went off to a high outlook.

⁴ God granted Balaam an appearance. Balaam said to him, “I have arranged seven altars and I have sacrificed a bull and a ram on each altar.”

⁵ The Lord gave Balaam something to say, and said to him, “Return to Balak and say this.”

⁶ Balaam returned to him, while he and all the officials of Moab were standing next to his entirely burned offering. ⁷ Then he raised his voice and made his address:

¹¹ Then Balak said to Balaam, “What have you done to me? I took you to curse my enemy. But now you’ve blessed him.”