1 N ow when Balaam saw that it pleased the Lord to bless Israel, he did not go as at other times, to seek to use sorcery, 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 Balaam raised his eyes, and saw Israel encamped 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 oracle and said: “The utterance of Balaam the son of Beor, The utterance of the man whose eyes are opened,

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

4 T he utterance of him who hears the words of God, Who sees the vision of the Almighty, Who falls down, with eyes wide 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 “ How lovely are your tents, O Jacob! Your dwellings, O Israel!

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

6 L ike valleys that stretch out, Like gardens by the riverside, Like aloes planted by the Lord, Like 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 H e shall pour water from his buckets, And his seed shall be in many waters. “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 “ God brings him out of Egypt; He has strength like a wild ox; He shall consume the nations, his enemies; He shall break their bones And pierce them 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 ‘ He bows down, he lies down as a lion; And as a lion, 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 aroused against Balaam, and he struck his hands together; and Balak said to Balaam, “I called you to curse my enemies, and look, you have bountifully 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 N ow therefore, flee to your place. I said I would greatly honor you, but in fact, the Lord has kept 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 S o Balaam said to Balak, “Did I not also speak to your messengers whom you sent to me, saying,

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

13 ‘ If Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the word of the Lord, to do good or bad of my own will. What the Lord says, that I must 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, indeed, I am going to my people. Come, I will advise you what this people will do to your people in the latter days.” Balaam’s Fourth Prophecy

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 S o he took up his oracle and said: “The utterance of Balaam the son of Beor, And the utterance of the man whose eyes are opened;

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

16 T he utterance of him who hears the words of God, And has the knowledge of the Most High, Who sees the vision of the Almighty, Who falls down, with eyes wide 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 see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near; A Star shall come out of Jacob; A Scepter shall rise out of Israel, And batter the brow of Moab, And destroy all the sons of tumult.

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 “ And Edom shall be a possession; Seir also, his enemies, shall be a possession, 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 One shall have dominion, And destroy the remains of the city.”

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

20 T hen he looked on Amalek, and he took up his oracle and said: “Amalek was first among the nations, But shall be last until he perishes.”

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

21 T hen he looked on the Kenites, and he took up his oracle and said: “Firm is your dwelling place, And your nest is set 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 Kain shall be burned. How long until Asshur carries you away captive?”

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

23 T hen he took up his oracle and said: “Alas! Who shall live when God does this?

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

24 B ut ships shall come from the coasts of Cyprus, And they shall afflict Asshur and afflict Eber, And so shall Amalek, until he perishes.”

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

25 S o Balaam rose and departed and returned to his place; Balak also went his way.

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