So the eldersof Moaband the eldersof Midiandepartedwith the [fees for] divinationin their hand;and they cameto Balaamand repeatedBalak'swordsto him.
Your rulersare rebelsAnd companionsof thieves;Everyonelovesa bribeAnd chasesafter rewards.They do not defendthe orphan,Nordoes the widow'spleacomebeforethem.
And the dogsare greedy,they are not satisfied.And they are shepherdswho havenounderstanding;They have allturnedto their own way,Eachoneto his unjustgain,to the lastone.
"For handfulsof barleyand fragmentsof bread,you have profanedMe to My peopleto putto deathsomewhoshould not dieand to keepothersalivewhoshould not live,by your lyingto My peoplewho listento lies."'"
"For the kingof Babylonstandsat the partingof the way,at the headof the twoways,to usedivination;he shakesthe arrows,he consultsthe householdidols,he looksat the liver.
Her leaderspronouncejudgmentfor a bribe,Her priestsinstructfor a priceAnd her prophetsdivinefor money.Yet they leanon the LORDsaying,"Is not the LORDin our midst?Calamitywill not comeupon us."
He saidto them, "Spendthe nighthere,and I will bringwordbackto you as the LORDmay speakto me." And the leadersof Moabstayedwith Balaam.
"For there is noomenagainst Jacob,Noris there any divinationagainst Israel;At the proper timeit shall be saidto JacobAnd to Israel,whatGodhas done!
When Balaamsawthat it pleasedthe LORDto blessIsrael,he did not goas at othertimesto seekomensbut he sethis facetowardthe wilderness.
For such menare slaves,not of our LordChristbut of their ownappetites;and by their smoothand flattering speechthey deceivethe heartsof the unsuspecting.
whomustbe silencedbecausethey are upsettingwholefamilies,teachingthingsthey shouldnot [teach] for the sakeof sordidgain.
The sonsof Israelalso killedBalaamthe sonof Beor,the diviner,with the swordamong[the rest of] their slain.
forsakingthe rightway,they have gone astray,having followedthe wayof Balaam,the [son] of Beor,wholovedthe wagesof unrighteousness;
Woeto them! For they have gonethe wayof Cain,and for paythey have rushed headlonginto the errorof Balaam,and perishedin the rebellionof Korah.
