| English Standard Version | Christian Standard Bible |
| 1When Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not go, as at other times, to look for omens, but set his face toward the wilderness. | 1Since Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not go to seek omens as on previous occasions, but turned toward the wilderness. |
| 2And Balaam lifted up his eyes and saw Israel camping tribe by tribe. And the Spirit of God came upon him, | 2When Balaam looked up and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came on him, |
| 3and he took up his discourse and said, “The oracle of Balaam the son of Beor, the oracle of the man whose eye is opened, | 3and he proclaimed his poem: The oracle of Balaam son of Beor, the oracle of the man whose eyes are opened, |
| 4the oracle of him who hears the words of God, who sees the vision of the Almighty, falling down with his eyes uncovered: | 4the oracle of one who hears the sayings of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who falls into a trance with his eyes uncovered: |
| 5How lovely are your tents, O Jacob, your encampments, O Israel! | 5How beautiful are your tents, Jacob, your dwellings, Israel. |
| 6Like palm groves that stretch afar, like gardens beside a river, like aloes that the LORD has planted, like cedar trees beside the waters. | 6They stretch out like river valleys, like gardens beside a stream, like aloes the LORD has planted, like cedars beside the water. |
| 7Water shall flow from his buckets, and his seed shall be in many waters; his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted. | 7Water will flow from his buckets, and his seed will be by abundant water. His king will be greater than Agag, and his kingdom will be exalted. |
| 8God brings him out of Egypt and is for him like the horns of the wild ox; he shall eat up the nations, his adversaries, and shall break their bones in pieces and pierce them through with his arrows. | 8God brought him out of Egypt; he is like the horns of a wild ox for them. He will feed on enemy nations and gnaw their bones; he will strike them with his arrows. |
| 9He crouched, he lay down like a lion and like a lioness; who will rouse him up? Blessed are those who bless you, and cursed are those who curse you.” | 9He crouches, he lies down like a lion or a lioness--who dares to rouse him? Those who bless you will be blessed, and those who curse you will be cursed. |
| 10And Balak’s anger was kindled against Balaam, and he struck his hands together. And Balak said to Balaam, “I called you to curse my enemies, and behold, you have blessed them these three times. | 10Then Balak became furious with Balaam, struck his hands together, and said to him, "I summoned you to put a curse on my enemies, but instead, you have blessed them these three times. |
| 11Therefore now flee to your own place. I said, ‘I will certainly honor you,’ but the LORD has held you back from honor.” | 11Now go to your home! I said I would reward you richly, but look, the LORD has denied you a reward." |
| 12And Balaam said to Balak, “Did I not tell your messengers whom you sent to me, | 12Balaam answered Balak, "Didn't I previously tell the messengers you sent me: |
| 13‘If Balak should give me his house full of silver and gold, I would not be able to go beyond the word of the LORD, to do either good or bad of my own will. What the LORD speaks, that will I speak’? | 13If Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go against the LORD's command, to do anything good or bad of my own will? I will say whatever the LORD says. |
| 14And now, behold, I am going to my people. Come, I will let you know what this people will do to your people in the latter days.” | 14Now I am going back to my people, but first, let me warn you what these people will do to your people in the future." |
| 15And he took up his discourse and said, “The oracle of Balaam the son of Beor, the oracle of the man whose eye is opened, | 15Then he proclaimed his poem: The oracle of Balaam son of Beor, the oracle of the man whose eyes are opened; |
| 16the oracle of him who hears the words of God, and knows the knowledge of the Most High, who sees the vision of the Almighty, falling down with his eyes uncovered: | 16the oracle of one who hears the sayings of God and has knowledge from the Most High, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who falls into a trance with his eyes uncovered: |
| 17I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near: a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel; it shall crush the forehead of Moab and break down all the sons of Sheth. | 17I see him, but not now; I perceive him, but not near. A star will come from Jacob, and a scepter will arise from Israel. He will smash the forehead of Moab and strike down all the Shethites. |
| 18Edom shall be dispossessed; Seir also, his enemies, shall be dispossessed. Israel is doing valiantly. | 18Edom will become a possession; Seir will become a possession of its enemies, but Israel will be triumphant. |
| 19And one from Jacob shall exercise dominion and destroy the survivors of cities!” | 19One who comes from Jacob will rule; he will destroy the city's survivors. |
| 20Then he looked on Amalek and took up his discourse and said, “Amalek was the first among the nations, but its end is utter destruction.” | 20Then Balaam saw Amalek and proclaimed his poem: Amalek was first among the nations, but his future is destruction. |
| 21And he looked on the Kenite, and took up his discourse and said, “Enduring is your dwelling place, and your nest is set in the rock. | 21Next he saw the Kenites and proclaimed his poem: Your dwelling place is enduring; your nest is set in the cliffs. |
| 22Nevertheless, Kain shall be burned when Asshur takes you away captive.” | 22Kain will be destroyed when Asshur takes you captive. |
| 23And he took up his discourse and said, “Alas, who shall live when God does this? | 23Once more he proclaimed his poem: Ah, who can live when God does this? |
| 24But ships shall come from Kittim and shall afflict Asshur and Eber; and he too shall come to utter destruction.” | 24Ships will come from the coast of Kittim; they will carry out raids against Asshur and Eber, but they too will come to destruction. |
| 25Then Balaam rose and went back to his place. And Balak also went his way. | 25Balaam then arose and went back to his homeland, and Balak also went his way. |
| ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved. | The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. |
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