“To inflict vengeance from the Lord on Midian.” For this man (Balaam), when he speaks no longer in the Spirit of God, but contrary to God’s law, by setting up a different law with regard to fornication, is certainly not then to be counted as a prophet, but as a soothsayer. For he who did not keep to the commandment of God, received the just recompense of his own evil devices.
Reproduced in full. Translation: Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1 (Roberts and Donaldson, 1885), public domain (Public domain).