And the LORD met Balaam, and put a word in his mouth, and said, Go again unto Balak, and say thus.

And Balaam said unto Balak, Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven oxen and seven rams.

They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.

Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.

Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours. Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high.

Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.

And God came unto Balaam at night, and said unto him, If the men come to call thee, rise up, and go with them; but yet the word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou do.

And God came unto Balaam, and said, What men are these with thee?

Not of works, lest any man should boast.

I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.