"My people,remembernowWhatBalakkingof MoabcounseledAnd whatBalaamsonof Beoransweredhim, [And] from Shittimto Gilgal,Sothat you might knowthe righteousactsof the LORD."
While Israelremainedat Shittim,the peoplebeganto playthe harlotwith the daughtersof Moab.
"At the soundof those who divide[flocks] amongthe wateringplaces,Therethey shall recountthe righteousdeedsof the LORD,The righteousdeedsfor His peasantryin Israel.Thenthe peopleof the LORDwentdownto the gates.
Now the peoplecameup from the Jordanon the tenthof the firstmonthand campedat Gilgalon the easternedgeof Jericho.
But I havea few thingsagainstyou, becauseyou havetheresome who holdthe teachingof Balaam,whokept teachingBalakto puta stumbling blockbeforethe sonsof Israel,to eatthings sacrificed to idolsand to commit [acts of] immorality.
Woeto them! For they have gonethe wayof Cain,and for paythey have rushed headlonginto the errorof Balaam,and perishedin the rebellionof Korah.
Ifwe confessour sins,He is faithfuland righteousto forgiveus our sinsand to cleanseus from allunrighteousness.
forsakingthe rightway,they have gone astray,having followedthe wayof Balaam,the [son] of Beor,wholovedthe wagesof unrighteousness;
For the sakeof Your name,O LORD,reviveme. In Your righteousnessbringmy soulout of trouble.
"You shall not eatleavenedbreadwith it; sevendaysyou shall eatwith it unleavenedbread,the breadof affliction(for you cameout of the landof Egyptin haste),sothat you may rememberallthe daysof your lifethe daywhen you cameout of the landof Egypt.
"Remember,do not forgethowyou provokedthe LORDyour Godto wrathin the wilderness;from the daythat you leftthe landof Egyptuntilyou arrivedat thisplace,you have beenrebelliousagainstthe LORD.
"But you shall rememberthe LORDyour God,for it is He who is givingyou powerto makewealth,that He may confirmHis covenantwhichHe sworeto your fathers,as [it is] thisday.
Thereforerememberthat formerlyyou, the Gentilesin the flesh,who are called"Uncircumcision"by the so-called"Circumcision,"[which is] performedin the fleshby human hands--
"You shall rememberallthe waywhichthe LORDyour Godhas ledyou in the wildernessthesefortyyears,that He might humbleyou, testingyou, to knowwhatwas in your heart,whether you would keepHis commandmentsornot.
"Behold,thesecausedthe sonsof Israel,through the counselof Balaam,to trespassagainst the LORDin the matterof Peor,so the plaguewas among the congregationof the LORD.
They killedthe kingsof Midianalongwith the [rest of] their slain:Eviand Rekemand Zurand Hurand Reba,the fivekingsof Midian;they also killedBalaamthe sonof Beorwith the sword.
Then Balaksaidto Balaam,"Pleasecome,I will takeyou to anotherplace;perhapsit will be agreeablewith Godthat you cursethem for me from there."
Then it cameabout in the morningthat BalaktookBalaamand broughthim up to the highplacesof Baal,and he sawfrom therea portionof the people.
He has madeHis wondersto be remembered;The LORDis graciousand compassionate.
For Your righteousness,O God,[reaches] to the heavens,You whohave donegreatthings;O God,whois likeYou?
O continueYour lovingkindnessto those who knowYou, And Your righteousnessto the uprightin heart.
"So now,takeyour stand,that I may pleadwith you beforethe LORDconcerningallthe righteousactsof the LORDwhichHe didfor you and your fathers.
They campedby the Jordan,from Beth-jeshimothas faras Abel-shittimin the plainsof Moab.
Then Joshuathe sonof Nunsenttwomenas spiessecretlyfrom Shittim,saying,"Go,viewthe land,especiallyJericho."So they wentand cameinto the houseof a harlotwhose namewas Rahab,and lodgedthere.
Then Joshuaroseearlyin the morning;and he and allthe sonsof Israelsetout from Shittimand cameto the Jordan,and they lodgedtherebeforethey crossed.
Noware you anybetterthanBalakthe sonof Zippor,kingof Moab?Did he everstrivewith Israel,ordid he everfightagainst them?
Zionwill be redeemedwith justiceAnd her repentantones with righteousness.
For they invitedthe peopleto the sacrificesof their gods,and the peopleateand boweddownto their gods.
"You shall neverseektheir peaceor their prosperityallyour days.
