1
But the wicked Balaam praised himself in everything, and deceived people as well. He made much of little; for all that he said of himself referred only to the unclean grades, and though it was true, it did not mean much, though whoever heard it imagined that he surpassed all the prophets of the world. When, for instance, he said, “Which heareth the words of God and knoweth the knowledge of the Almighty”, who that heard would not think that there was no true prophet like him?
2
Certainly it was true; but only with reference to the grades to which he was attached. He heard the words of a god-the one who is called “another god”, and he knew the knowledge of the most high
3
that is, the highest of the grades of uncleanness, those who direct the boat and the tempest.
4
There are forty-nine of them, and the steersman is the highest of them all. Thus he praised himself vaguely, and while speaking truthfully he yet misled people.
5
So when he said, “Who seeth the vision of the Almighty”, the hearers thought that he saw something which no other could see, but what he saw was only one of the branches that issue from Shaddai.
6
What was that vision? Uzza and Azael, who were “falling down and having eyes open”.
7
Now where was Balaam at that time? Seeing that he said, “Now I am going to my people”, how can he have been in Midian? The truth is, however, that when he saw that twenty-two thousand of Israel fell through his counsel, he stayed there and demanded his reward; and while he was staying there Phineas and his captains of the host came there.