⁵ My people, remember
    what Balak^(A) king of Moab plotted
    and what Balaam son of Beor answered.
Remember your journey from Shittim^(B) to Gilgal,^(C)
    that you may know the righteous acts^(D) of the Lord.”

²⁸ While they curse,^(A) may you bless;
    may those who attack me be put to shame,
    but may your servant rejoice.^(B)

⁵ “How beautiful are your tents,^(A) Jacob,
    your dwelling places, Israel!

⁶ “Like valleys they spread out,
    like gardens beside a river,^(B)
like aloes^(C) planted by the Lord,
    like cedars beside the waters.^(D)
7 Water will flow from their buckets;
    their seed will have abundant water.

“Their king will be greater than Agag;^(E)
    their kingdom will be exalted.^(F)

⁸ “God brought them out of Egypt;
    they have the strength of a wild ox.
They devour hostile nations
    and break their bones in pieces;^(G)
    with their arrows they pierce them.^(H)
9 Like a lion they crouch and lie down,
    like a lioness^(I)—who dares to rouse them?

“May those who bless you be blessed^(J)
    and those who curse you be cursed!”^(K)

⁸ How can I curse
    those whom God has not cursed?^(A)
How can I denounce
    those whom the Lord has not denounced?^(B)
9 From the rocky peaks I see them,
    from the heights I view them.^(C)
I see a people who live apart
    and do not consider themselves one of the nations.^(D)
10 Who can count the dust of Jacob^(E)
    or number even a fourth of Israel?
Let me die the death of the righteous,^(F)
    and may my final end be like theirs!^(G)”

“Arise, Balak, and listen;
    hear me, son of Zippor.^(B)