1Balaam said to Balak, Build seven altars for me here and prepare seven bullocks and seven rams for me here.2Balak did just as Balaam had spoken, and Balak and Balaam offered a bullock and a ram on the altar.3Balaam said to Balak, Stand by your burnt offering while I go; perhaps the LORD will meet me and reveal to me a word, and I will tell you what he shows me. Then he went apart.4God met Balaam and said to him, "I have arranged the seven altars and have offered a bullock and a ram on the altar."5The LORD placed a word in Balaam's mouth and said, Return to Balak and speak thus.6He returned to him and found him standing by his burnt offering together with all the rulers of Moab.7He took up his proverb and said, Balak king of Moab has brought me from Aram, from the mountains of the East; come, curse Jacob for me, and come, denounce Israel.8How can I curse one whom God has not cursed? How can I denounce one whom the LORD has not denounced?9For from the tops of the rocks I see him, and from the hills I behold him; look, a people dwelling alone, not reckoned among the nations.10Who can count the dust of Jacob or number the fourth part of Israel? Let my soul die the death of the upright, and let my end be like his.11Balak said to Balaam, What have you done to me? I brought you to curse my enemies, yet you have pronounced a blessing.12He answered and said, Must I not keep to speak what the LORD puts in my mouth?