1 ¶ And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not go, as the first and second times, to seek for enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness;

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 lifting up his eyes, he saw Israel abiding in his 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 T hen he took up his parable and said, Balaam, the son of Beor, has said and the man whose eyes are open has said,

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

4 h e who has heard the words of God has said, who saw the vision of the Almighty, fallen, but having his eyes open:

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 beautiful are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy habitations, O Israel!

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

6 A s the valleys are they spread forth, as gardens by the river’s side, as the trees of lign aloes which the LORD has planted, and as cedars 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 F rom his branches he shall distil waters, and his seed shall be in 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 him forth out of Egypt; he has, as it were, the strength of a unicorn; he shall eat up the Gentiles his enemies and shall break their bones and pierce 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 great lion; who shall awaken him? Blessed is he that blesses thee, and cursed is he that curses thee.

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 ¶ Then Balak’s anger was kindled against Balaam, and smiting his hands together he said, I called thee to curse my enemies, and, behold, thou hast altogether blessed 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 flee thou to thy place; I said that I would honour thee; but, behold, the LORD has deprived thee of honour.

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

12 A nd Balaam replied unto Balak, Did I not declare also unto thy messengers which thou didst send unto me, saying,

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 commandment of the LORD, to do either good or bad of my own heart; but what the LORD saith 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 T herefore, behold, I go now unto my people; come and I will indicate unto thee what this people shall do to thy 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 ¶ And he took up his parable and said, Balaam, the son of Beor, has said, the man whose eyes are open has said,

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

16 h e who has heard the words of God has said, and he who knows the knowledge of the most High, he who saw the vision of the Almighty, fallen, but having his eyes open:

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 shall see him, but not now; I shall behold him, but not near by; there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel and shall smite the corners of Moab and destroy all the sons of Seth.

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 taken; Seir also shall be taken by his enemies; and Israel shall do 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 come he that shall have dominion and shall destroy what remains of the city.

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

20 A nd when he looked on Amalek, he took up his parable, and said, Amalek, head of the Gentiles; but his latter end shall be that he perish for ever.

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 on the Kenite and took up his parable and said, Strong is thy dwellingplace, and thou puttest thy nest in a rock;

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

22 b ecause the Kenite shall be thrown out, when Asshur shall carry thee away captive.

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

23 A nd he took up his parable again and said, Alas, who shall live when God shall do these things!

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

24 A nd ships shall come from the coast of Chittim and shall afflict Asshur and shall afflict Eber, but he also shall perish for ever.

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

25 T hen Balaam rose up and went and 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.