17. Returning, he found him standing next to his holocaust, and the leaders of the Moabites were with him. And Balak said to him, "What has the Lord spoken?"
18. But, taking up his parable, he said: "Stand, Balak, and pay attention. Listen, you son of Zippor.
19. God is not like a man, so that he would lie, nor is he like a son of man, so that he would be changed. Therefore, having spoken, will he not act? Has he ever spoken, and not fulfilled?
20. I was led here to bless, and I have no strength to hinder the blessing.
21. There is no idol in Jacob; neither is there a false image to be seen in Israel. The Lord his God is with him, and the resound of royal victory is in him.
22. God has led him away from Egypt; his strength is like that of the rhinoceros.
23. There is no soothsaying in Jacob, nor any divination in Israel. In their times, it shall be told to Jacob and to Israel what God has wrought.
24. Behold, the people will rise up like a lioness, and lie down like a lion. But they will not lie down until they devour the prey and drink the blood of the slain."
25. And Balak said to Balaam, "Neither curse him, nor bless him."
26. And he said, "Have I not told you that whatever God would command of me, I would do?"
27. And Balak said to him: "Come and I will lead you to another place. If perhaps it may please God, then you may curse them from there."
28. And when he had led him on to the top of mount Peor, which looks out toward the wilderness,