Homilies on Numbers, Homilia XV
Why Balaam is both blamed and praised§1
1Brothers asked rather for Balaam’s prophecy. He is now blameworthy, now praiseworthy: forbidden to go, he still presses on, greedy for reward, yet he utters God’s words.
Latin · §1
De prophetia Balaam fratres exposcere maluerunt. Nunc vituperabilis nunc laudabilis: prohibitus a Deo venire persistit mercedis cupidus; tamen verba Dei profert.
Altars and the first oracle§2
2Balak builds altars; Balaam goes to meet omens. The Lord puts a word in his mouth: he cannot curse whom God has not cursed.
Latin · §2
Balac aedificat aras; Balaam vadit in occursum divinationis. Dominus ponit verbum in ore eius: non maledicere potest quos Deus non maledixit.
A people dwelling alone§3
3The people will dwell alone and not be reckoned among the nations — a mystery of the church set apart from the world.
Latin · §3
Populus solus habitabit et in gentibus non reputabitur. Mysterium ecclesiae a mundo segregatae.