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Numbers 23 (CEV)

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¹ Balaam said to Balak, "Build seven altars here, then bring seven bulls and seven rams." ² After Balak had done this, they sacrificed a bull and a ram on each altar. ³ Then Balaam said, "Wait here beside your offerings, and I'll go somewhere to be alone. Maybe the LORD will appear to me. If he does, I will tell you everything he says." And he left. ⁴ When God appeared to him, Balaam said, "I have built seven altars and have sacrificed a bull and a ram on each one." ⁵ The LORD gave Balaam a message, then sent him back to tell Balak. ⁶ When Balaam returned, he found Balak and his officials standing beside the offerings. ⁷ Balaam said: "King Balak of Moab brought me from the hills of Syria to curse Israel and announce its doom. ⁸ But I can't go against God! He did not curse or condemn Israel. * ⁹ "From the mountain peaks, I look down and see Israel, the obedient people of God. ¹⁰ They are living alone in peace. And though they are many, they don't bother the other nations. "I hope to obey God for as long as I live and to die in such peace." ¹¹ Balak said, "What are you doing? I asked you to come and place a curse on my enemies. But you have blessed them instead!" ¹² Balaam answered, "I can say only what the LORD tells me." ¹³ Balak said to Balaam, "Let's go somewhere else. Maybe if you see a smaller part of the Israelites, you will be able to curse them for me." ¹⁴ So he took Balaam to a field on top of Mount Pisgah where lookouts were stationed. Then he built seven altars there and sacrificed a bull and a ram on each one. ¹⁵ "Wait here beside your offerings," Balaam said. "The LORD will appear to me over there." ¹⁶ The LORD appeared to Balaam and gave him another message, then he told him to go and tell Balak. ¹⁷ Balaam went back and saw him and his officials standing beside the offerings. Balak asked, "What did the LORD say?" ¹⁸ Balaam answered: "Pay close attention to my words-- ¹⁹ God is no mere human! He doesn't tell lies or change his mind. God always keeps his promises. ²⁰ "My command from God was to bless these people, and there's nothing I can do to change what he has done. ²¹ Israel's king is the LORD God. He lives there with them and intends them no harm. ²² With the strength of a wild ox, God led Israel out of Egypt. ²³ No magic charms can work against them-- just look what God has done for his people. ²⁴ They are like angry lions ready to attack; and they won't rest until their victim is gobbled down." ²⁵ Balak shouted, "If you're not going to curse Israel, then at least don't bless them." ²⁶ "I've already told you," Balaam answered. "I will say only what the LORD tells me." ²⁷ Balak said to Balaam, "Come on, let's try another place. Maybe God will let you curse Israel from there." ²⁸ So he took Balaam to Mount Peor overlooking the desert north of the Dead Sea. ²⁹ Balaam said, "Build seven altars here, then bring me seven bulls and seven rams." ³⁰ After Balak had done what Balaam asked, he sacrificed a bull and a ram on each altar.