Numbers 23:11-17

New International Reader's Version

¹¹ Balak said to Balaam, “What have you done to me? I brought you here to put a curse on my enemies! But all you have done is give them a blessing!”

¹² He answered, “I have to speak only the words the Lord puts in my mouth.”

Balaam’s Second Message From God

¹³ Then Balak said to Balaam, “Come with me to another place. You can see the Israelites from there. You won’t see all of them. You will only see the outer edges of their camp. From there, put a curse on them for me.” ¹⁴ So Balak took Balaam to the field of Zophim. It was on the highest slopes of Pisgah. There Balak built seven altars. He offered a bull and a ram on each altar.

¹⁵ Balaam said to Balak, “Stay here beside your offering. I’ll meet with the Lord over there.”

¹⁶ The Lord met with Balaam. He put a message in Balaam’s mouth. The Lord said, “Go back to Balak. Give him my message.”

¹⁷ So Balaam went to Balak. He found him standing beside his offering. The Moabite officials were with him. Balak asked him, “What did the Lord say?”