<p class="poetry">Indeed, I have received a command<n id="1" /> to bless;p> <p class="poetry">he has blessed,<n id="2" /> and I cannot reverse it.<n id="3" />p>

<p class="bodytext">&#8220;But if you do not do this, then look, you will have sinned<n id="1" /> against the <sc>Lordsc>. And know that your sin will find you out.

And he sent messengers to Balaam<n id="1" /> son of Beor at Pethor, which is by the Euphrates River<n id="2" /> in the land of Amaw,<n id="3" /> to summon him, saying, &#8220;Look, a nation has come out of Egypt. They cover the face<n id="4" /> of the earth, and they are settling next to me.

&#8220;Look,<n id="1" /> I myself have taken the Levites from among the Israelites instead of<n id="2" /> every firstborn who opens the womb among the Israelites. So the Levites belong to me,

Please forgive<n id="1" /> the iniquity of this people according to your great loyal love,<n id="2" /> just as you have forgiven this people from Egypt even until now.&#8221;p>

I myself have chosen<n id="1" /> your brothers the Levites from among the Israelites. They are given to you as a gift from the <sc>Lordsc>, to perform the duties<n id="2" /> of the tent of meeting.

See, I have given the Levites all the tithes in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they perform &#8211; the service of the tent of meeting.

&#8220;Look, a nation has come out<n id="1" /> of Egypt, and it covers the face of the earth. Come now and put a curse on them for me; perhaps I will be able to defeat them<n id="2" /> and drive them out.&#8221;<n id="3" />

Look, these people through the counsel of Balaam caused the Israelites to act treacherously against the <sc>Lordsc> in the matter of Peor &#8211; which resulted in the plague among the community of the <sc>Lordsc>!

<t /><p class="bodytext">The <sc>Lordsc> spoke to Aaron, &#8220;See, I have given you the responsibility for my raised offerings; I have given all the holy things of the Israelites to you as your priestly portion<n id="1" /> and to your sons as a perpetual ordinance.

The angel of the <sc>Lordsc> said to him, &#8220;Why have you beaten your donkey these three times? Look, I came out to oppose you because what you are doing<n id="1" /> is perverse before me.<n id="2" />

Balaam said to Balak, &#8220;Look, I have come to you. Now, am I able<n id="1" /> to speak<n id="2" /> just anything? I must speak<n id="3" /> only the word that God puts in my mouth.&#8221;