1 W hen Balaam saw that it pleased the Lord to bless Israel, he did not go as he had done each time before to meet with omens and signs in the natural world, but he set his face toward the wilderness or desert.

Balaam saw that it pleased the Lord to speak good of Israel. So he did not go, as at other times, and look for special things to see. Instead he looked toward the desert.

2 A nd Balaam lifted up his eyes and he saw Israel abiding in their tents according to their tribes. And the Spirit of God came upon him

Balaam looked up and saw Israel living in their tents by their families. And the Spirit of God came upon him.

3 A nd he took up his discourse and said: Balaam son of Beor, the man whose eye is opened,

He began speaking and said, “Balaam the son of Beor is the man whose eye is opened.

4 H e who hears the words of God, who sees the vision of the Almighty, falling down, but having his eyes open and uncovered, he says:

He hears the words of God. He sees what the All-powerful wants him to see. He falls down, but has his eyes open.

5 H ow attractive and considerable are your tents, O Jacob, and your tabernacles, O Israel!

How fair are your tents, O Jacob, and your homes, O Israel!

6 A s valleys are they spread forth, as gardens by the riverside, as of lignaloes which the Lord has planted, and as cedar trees beside the waters.

They are like valleys that spread out, and like gardens beside the river. They are like aloes planted by the Lord, and like cedars beside the waters.

7 s hall pour water out of his own buckets, and his offspring shall dwell by many waters, and his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted.

Water will flow from his pails. His seed will be by many waters. His king will be more powerful than Agag, and his nation will be honored.

8 G od brought forth out of Egypt; has strength like the wild ox; he shall eat up the nations, his enemies, crushing their bones and piercing them through with his arrows.

God brings him out of Egypt. He is for him like the horns of the wild bull. He will destroy the nations who fight against him. He will crush their bones in pieces and cut through them with his arrows.

9 H e couched, he lay down as a lion; and as a lioness, who shall rouse him? Blessed is he who blesses you and cursed is he who curses you.

He bows down. He lies down like a lion. And as a lion, who will wake him? Good will come to everyone who prays for you. And cursed is everyone who curses you.”

10 T hen Balak’s anger was kindled against Balaam, and he smote his hands together; and Balak said to Balaam, I called you to curse my enemies, and, behold, you have done nothing but bless them these three times.

Then Balak’s anger burned against Balaam, and he hit his hands together. Balak said to Balaam, “I called you to curse those who hate me. But see, you have done nothing but pray that good would come to them these three times!

11 T herefore now go back where you belong and do it in a hurry! I had intended to promote you to great honor, but behold, the Lord has held you back from honor.

So now run away to your place. I said I would give you much honor, but the Lord has kept you from honor.”

12 B alaam said to Balak, Did I not say to your messengers whom you sent to me,

Then Balaam said to Balak, “Did I not tell the men you had sent to me,

13 I f Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the command of the Lord, to do either good or bad of my own will, but what the Lord says, that will I speak?

‘Even if Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot do anything against the Word of the Lord’? I said, ‘I cannot do good or bad because I want to. What the Lord says, I will say.’

14 A nd now, behold, I am going to my people; come, I will tell you what this people will do to your people in the latter days.

Now see, I am going to my people. Come, I will tell you what this people will do to your people in the days to come.” Balaam Tells What Will Happen the Fourth Time

15 A nd he took up his discourse, and said: Balaam son of Beor speaks, the man whose eye is opened speaks,

Then he began speaking and said, “Balaam the son of Beor is the man whose eye is opened.

16 H e speaks, who heard the words of God and knew the knowledge of the Most High, who saw the vision of the Almighty, falling down, but having his eyes open and uncovered:

He hears the words of God. He knows what the Most High wants him to know. He sees what the All-powerful wants him to see. He falls down, but has his eyes open.

17 I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but He is not near. A star (Star) shall come forth out of Jacob, and a scepter (Scepter) shall rise out of Israel and shall crush all the corners of Moab and break down all the sons of Sheth.

I see him, but not now. I see him, but he is not near. A star will come out of Jacob. A special stick of power will rise from Israel. It will crush the forehead of Moab, and break down all the sons of Sheth.

18 A nd Edom shall be a possession, Seir also shall be dispossessed, who were Israel’s enemies, while Israel does valiantly.

It will take the land of Edom. And it will take the land of Seir, who fights against Israel. And Israel will fight with much power.

19 O ut of Jacob shall one (One) come having dominion and shall destroy the remnant from the city.

One from Jacob will rule. He will destroy from the city all who are left alive.”

20 l ooked at Amalek and took up his utterance, and said: Amalek is the foremost of the nations, but in his latter end he shall come to destruction.

Then Balaam looked at Amalek and said, “Amalek was the first of the nations. But he will be destroyed in the end.”

21 A nd he looked at the Kenites and took up his utterance, and said: Strong is your dwelling place, and you set your nest in the rock.

Then he looked at the Kenite and said, “The place where you live is strong. Your nest is set in the rock.

22 N evertheless the Kenites shall be wasted. How long shall Asshur (Assyria) take you away captive?

But Kain will be destroyed. How long will Asshur keep you against your will?”

23 A nd he took up his speech, and said: Alas, who shall live when God does this and establishes ?

Then Balaam said, “Who can live when God does this?

24 B ut ships shall come from Kittim and shall afflict Assyria and Eber, and he also shall come to destruction.

But ships will come from Kittim. They will bring trouble to Asshur and Eber, but they will be destroyed also.”

25 A nd Balaam rose up, returned to his place, and Balak also went his way.

Then Balaam got up and left. He returned to his place, and Balak went on his way.