Numbers 23:7-12 ▼

7 And Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying: “Balak (devastator) brought me from Aram (exalted), the king of Moab (of his father) from the mountains of the east. ‘Come,’ he said, ‘put a curse on Jacob (he grasps the heel) for me; come and denounce Israel (he wrestles with God)!’

8 How can I curse those whom God has not cursed? How can I denounce those whom the LORD {YHWH} has not denounced?

9 For I see them from atop the rocky cliffs, and I watch them from the hills. Behold, a people dwelling apart, not reckoning themselves among the nations.

10 Who can count the dust of Jacob (he grasps the heel) or number even a fourth of Israel (he wrestles with God)? Let me die the death of the righteous; let my end be like theirs!”

11 Then Balak (devastator) said to Balaam (not of the people), “What have you done to me? I brought you here to curse my enemies, and behold, you have only blessed them!”

12 But Balaam replied, “Should I not speak exactly what the LORD {YHWH} puts in my mouth?”