Study Desk

Then said Balaam unto Balak: Build me here seven altars, - and prepare me here, seven bullocks and seven rams.

And Balak did as Balaam had spoken, - and Balak and Balaam caused to ascend a bullock and a ram on each altar.

Then said Balaam unto Balak: Station thyself by thine ascending-sacrifice, and let me go my way - peradventure Yahweh may come and meet me, and what thing soever he may show me, I will tell thee. So he went his way to a bare height.

And God came unto Balaam, - so he said unto him The seven altars, have I built in a row, and have caused to ascend, bullock and a ram on each altar.

And Yahweh put a word into the mouth of Balaam, - and said - Return unto Balak, and, thus, shalt thou speak.

So he returned unto him, and lo! he was stationed by his ascending-sacrifice, - he, and all the princes of Moab.

So he took up his parable and said, - From Aram, doth Balak conduct me, The king of Moab, from the mountains of the East, Come thou! curse me Jacob, Yea, come thou! rage on Israel.

How can I revile one whom GOD hath not reviled? Yea, how can I rage on one on whom Yahweh hath not raged.

Surely from the head of the rocks, do I see him, Yea, from the hills, do I observe him, - Lo! a people, who alone doth dwell, And among the nations, he doth not reckon himself.

Who hath counted the dust of Jacob? Or who hath numbered the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the upright, And let my hereafter be like his!