^{5 Ref} And the Lord put words in Balaam's mouth, and said, Go back to Balak, and this is what you are to say.

⁶ So he went back to him where he was waiting by his burned offering with all the chiefs of Moab.

^{7 Ref} And in the words which the Lord had given him he said, From Aram Balak has sent for me, the king of Moab from the mountains of the East: come, put curses on Jacob for me and be angry with Israel.

^{8 Ref} How may I put curses on him who is not cursed by God? how may I be angry with him with whom the Lord is not angry?

^{9 Ref} From the top of the rocks I see him, looking down on him from the hills: it is a people made separate, not to be numbered among the nations.

^{10 Ref} Who is able to take the measure of the dust of Jacob or the number of the thousands of Israel? May my death be the death of the upright and my last end like his!

^{11 Ref} Then Balak said to Balaam, What have you done to me? I sent for you so that my haters might be cursed, and see, you have given them a blessing.

^{12 Ref} And in answer he said, Am I not ordered to say only what the Lord puts into my mouth?