King Benhadad's officials said to him, "The gods of Israel are mountain gods, and that is why the Israelites defeated us. But we will certainly defeat them if we fight them in the plains.

A prophet went to King Ahab and said, "This is what the LORD says: 'Because the Syrians say that I am a god of the hills and not of the plains, I will give you victory over their huge army, and you and your people will know that I am the LORD.' "

My people, remember what King Balak of Moab planned to do to you and how Balaam son of Beor answered him. Remember the things that happened on the way from the camp at Acacia to Gilgal. Remember these things and you will realize what I did in order to save you."

The next morning Balak took Balaam up to Bamoth Baal, from where Balaam could see a part of the people of Israel.

Then the king of Moab, Balak son of Zippor, fought against you. He sent word to Balaam son of Beor and asked him to put a curse on you.

He loved to curse---may he be cursed! He hated to give blessings---may no one bless him!

We use it to give thanks to our Lord and Father and also to curse other people, who are created in the likeness of God.

Words of thanksgiving and cursing pour out from the same mouth. My friends, this should not happen!