With the nobles and princes of Moab the king stood beside the sacrifice, while around them gathered the eager multitude, watching for the return of the prophet. He came at last, and the people waited for the words that should paralyze forever that strange power exerted in behalf of the hated Israelites. Balaam said: "The king of Moab hath brought me from Aram, Out of the mountains of the east, Saying, Come, curse me Jacob, And come, defy Israel. How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed? Or how shall I defy, whom the Lord hath not defied? For from the top of the rocks I see him, And from the hills I behold him: Lo, the people shall dwell alone, And shall not be reckoned among the nations. Who can count the dust of Jacob, And the number of the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, And let my last end be like his!" 447

Kongen stod nu ved brændofferet sammen med Moabs fyrster og høvdinge, mens folket ivrigt flokkedes omkring dem for at vente på profeten. Endelig kom han, og folket ventede at høre de ord, der for bestandig ville lamme den mærkelige magt, som blev udøvet for at hjælpe de forhadte israelitter. Bileam sagde: