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From the Rejection of That Generation to the Death of Moses - Flavius Josephus

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upon second sacrifices, consent <strong>to</strong> his cursing <strong>the</strong> Israelites. (3) Then fell<br />

Balaam upon his face, and fore<strong>to</strong>ld what calamities would befall <strong>the</strong> several<br />

kings <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> nations, and <strong>the</strong> most eminent cities, some <strong>of</strong> which <strong>of</strong> old were<br />

not so much as inhabited; which events have come <strong>to</strong> pass among <strong>the</strong> several<br />

people concerned, both in <strong>the</strong> foregoing ages, and in this, till my own<br />

memory, both by sea and by land. <strong>From</strong> which completion <strong>of</strong> all <strong>the</strong>se<br />

predictions that he made, one may easily guess that <strong>the</strong> rest will have <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

completion in time <strong>to</strong> come.<br />

6. But Balak being very angry that <strong>the</strong> Israelites were not cursed, sent<br />

away Balaam without thinking him worthy <strong>of</strong> any honor. Whereupon, when<br />

he was just upon his journey, in order <strong>to</strong> pass <strong>the</strong> Euphrates, he sent for<br />

Balak, and for <strong>the</strong> princes <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Midianites, and spake thus <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong>m: - "O<br />

Balak, and you Midianites that are here present, (for I am obliged even<br />

without <strong>the</strong> will <strong>of</strong> God <strong>to</strong> gratify you,) it is true no entire destruction can<br />

seize upon <strong>the</strong> nation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Hebrews, nei<strong>the</strong>r by war, nor by plague, nor by<br />

scarcity <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> fruits <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> earth, nor can any o<strong>the</strong>r unexpected accident be<br />

<strong>the</strong>ir entire ruin; for <strong>the</strong> providence <strong>of</strong> God is concerned <strong>to</strong> preserve <strong>the</strong>m<br />

from such a misfortune; nor will it permit any such calamity <strong>to</strong> come upon<br />

<strong>the</strong>m whereby <strong>the</strong>y may all perish; but some small misfortunes, and those for<br />

a short time, whereby <strong>the</strong>y may appear <strong>to</strong> be brought low, may still befall<br />

<strong>the</strong>m; but after that <strong>the</strong>y will flourish again, <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> terror <strong>of</strong> those that brought<br />

those mischiefs upon <strong>the</strong>m. So that if you have a mind <strong>to</strong> gain a vic<strong>to</strong>ry over<br />

<strong>the</strong>m for a short space <strong>of</strong> time, you will obtain it by following my directions:<br />

- Do you <strong>the</strong>refore set out <strong>the</strong> handsomest <strong>of</strong> such <strong>of</strong> your daughters as are<br />

most eminent for beauty, (4) and proper <strong>to</strong> force and conquer <strong>the</strong> modesty <strong>of</strong><br />

those that behold <strong>the</strong>m, and <strong>the</strong>se decked and trimmed <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> highest degree<br />

able. Then do you send <strong>the</strong>m <strong>to</strong> be near camp, and give <strong>the</strong>m in charge, that<br />

<strong>the</strong> young men <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Hebrews desire <strong>the</strong>ir allow it <strong>the</strong>m; and when <strong>the</strong>y see<br />

<strong>the</strong>y are enamored <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m, let <strong>the</strong>m take leaves; and if <strong>the</strong>y entreat <strong>the</strong>m <strong>to</strong><br />

stay, let give <strong>the</strong>ir consent till <strong>the</strong>y have persuaded leave <strong>of</strong>f <strong>the</strong>ir obedience<br />

<strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir own laws, <strong>the</strong> worship <strong>of</strong> that God who established <strong>the</strong>m <strong>to</strong> worship<br />

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