Numbers 23:14-24

14Balak took Balaam to the field of Zophim. It was at the top of Pisgah mountain. Balak built seven altars there. He offered a bull and a male sheep on each altar as sacrifices.

15Balaam said to Balak, ‘Stay here beside your burnt offering. I will go to meet with the Lord.’

16The Lord met Balaam and told him the message that he should speak to Balak. He told Balaam to go and tell it to Balak.

17So Balaam went back to Balak. Balak and the Moabite officers were standing beside the burnt offerings. Balak asked Balaam, ‘What did the Lord say?’

18Balaam spoke his message from God. He said, ‘Balak, son of Zippor, be ready! Listen carefully to me.

19God is not human. He does not tell lies. He does not change his thoughts. If he promises to do something, it happens.

20He told me that I must bless the Israelites. He has blessed them, so I must do it too.

21I do not see that any trouble will come to the Israelites. The Lord their God is with them, to help them. They call him their king.

22He brought them out of Egypt. He fights on their behalf, as strong as a wild bull.

23Nobody can curse the Israelites. No magic has any power to hurt them. Now people will say about them, “See the great things that God has done for them!”

24The Israelites are like a strong lion. It eats the animals that it has killed. It does not rest until it has eaten as much as it wants. It also drinks their blood.’