Balak said to Balaam, “Neither curse them at all nor bless them at all!”

“Also take a census of the Gershonites, by their clans and by their families.

They said, “Has the Lord only spoken through Moses? Has he not also spoken through us?” And the Lord heard it.

He has brought you near and all your brothers, the sons of Levi, with you. Do you now seek the priesthood also?

Ships will come from the coast of Kittim, and will afflict Asshur, and will afflict Eber, and he will also perish forever.”

Balaam got up and departed and returned to his home, and Balak also went his way.

When you have seen it, you will be gathered to your ancestors, as Aaron your brother was gathered to his ancestors.

They must be responsible to care for you and to care for the entire tabernacle. However, they must not come near the furnishings of the sanctuary and the altar, or both they and you will die.

Now the mixed multitude who were among them craved more desirable foods, and so the Israelites wept again and said, “If only we had meat to eat!

They told Moses, “We went to the land where you sent us. It is indeed flowing with milk and honey, and this is its fruit.

But the inhabitants are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large. Moreover we saw the descendants of Anak there.

Is it a small thing that you have brought us up out of the land that flows with milk and honey, to kill us in the wilderness? Now do you want to make yourself a prince over us?

“Bring with you your brothers, the tribe of Levi, the tribe of your father, so that they may join with you and minister to you while you and your sons with you are before the tent of the testimony.

Now therefore, please stay the night here also, that I may know what more the Lord might say to me.”

The donkey saw me and turned from me these three times. If she had not turned from me, I would have killed you but saved her alive.”

Balaam said to Balak, “Did I not also tell your messengers whom you sent to me,

Thus you are to offer up a raised offering to the Lord of all your tithes which you receive from the Israelites; and you must give the Lord’s raised offering from it to Aaron the priest.