4 and God met him. Balaam said to him, “I have built the seven altars and offered a bull and a ram on each.”
5 The Lord told Balaam what to say and sent him back to Balak to give him his message.
6 So he went back and found Balak still standing by his burnt offering, with all the leaders of Moab.
7 Balaam uttered this prophecy:“Balak king of Moab has brought meFrom Syria, from the eastern mountains.‘Come and speak for me,’ he said.‘Put a curse on the people of Israel.’
8 How can I curse what God has not cursed,Or speak of doom when the Lord has not?
9 From the high rocks I can see them;I can watch them from the hills.They are a nation that lives alone;They know they are blessed more than other nations.
10 The descendants of Israel are like the dust —There are too many of them to be counted.Let me end my days like one of God's people;Let me die in peace like the righteous.”