God said to Balaam, "Do not go with them, and do not put a curse on the people of Israel, because they have my blessing."

I will give you many descendants, and they will become a great nation. I will bless you and make your name famous, so that you will be a blessing.

I promise that I will give you as many descendants as there are stars in the sky or grains of sand along the seashore. Your descendants will conquer their enemies.

But Balaam answered, "Even if Balak gave me all the silver and gold in his palace, I could not disobey the command of the LORD my God in even the smallest matter.

Balaam answered, "I came, didn't I? But now, what power do I have? I can say only what God tells me to say."

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

What my Father has given me is greater than everything, and no one can snatch them away from the Father's care.

For I am certain that nothing can separate us from his love: neither death nor life, neither angels nor other heavenly rulers or powers, neither the present nor the future,

neither the world above nor the world below---there is nothing in all creation that will ever be able to separate us from the love of God which is ours through Christ Jesus our Lord.

They are for you, who through faith are kept safe by God's power for the salvation which is ready to be revealed at the end of time.