| NET Bible | New Living Translation |
| 1When Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not go as at the other times to seek for omens, but he set his face toward the wilderness. | 1By now Balaam realized that the LORD was determined to bless Israel, so he did not resort to divination as before. Instead, he turned and looked out toward the wilderness, |
| 2When Balaam lifted up his eyes, he saw Israel camped tribe by tribe; and the Spirit of God came upon him. | 2where he saw the people of Israel camped, tribe by tribe. Then the Spirit of God came upon him, |
| 3Then he uttered this oracle: "The oracle of Balaam son of Beor; the oracle of the man whose eyes are open; | 3and this is the message he delivered: “This is the message of Balaam son of Beor, the message of the man whose eyes see clearly, |
| 4the oracle of the one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, although falling flat on the ground with eyes open: | 4the message of one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who bows down with eyes wide open: |
| 5How beautiful are your tents, O Jacob, and your dwelling places, O Israel! | 5How beautiful are your tents, O Jacob; how lovely are your homes, O Israel! |
| 6They are like valleys stretched forth, like gardens by the river's side, like aloes that the LORD has planted, and like cedar trees beside the waters. | 6They spread before me like palm groves, like gardens by the riverside. They are like tall trees planted by the LORD, like cedars beside the waters. |
| 7He will pour the water out of his buckets, and their descendants will be like abundant water; their king will be greater than Agag, and their kingdom will be exalted. | 7Water will flow from their buckets; their offspring have all they need. Their king will be greater than Agag; their kingdom will be exalted. |
| 8God brought them out of Egypt. They have, as it were, the strength of a young bull; they will devour hostile people and will break their bones and will pierce them through with arrows. | 8God brought them out of Egypt; for them he is as strong as a wild ox. He devours all the nations that oppose him, breaking their bones in pieces, shooting them with arrows. |
| 9They crouch and lie down like a lion, and as a lioness, who can stir him? Blessed is the one who blesses you, and cursed is the one who curses you!'" | 9Like a lion, Israel crouches and lies down; like a lioness, who dares to arouse her? Blessed is everyone who blesses you, O Israel, and cursed is everyone who curses you.” |
| 10Then Balak became very angry at Balaam, and he struck his hands together. Balak said to Balaam, "I called you to curse my enemies, and look, you have done nothing but bless them these three times! | 10King Balak flew into a rage against Balaam. He angrily clapped his hands and shouted, “I called you to curse my enemies! Instead, you have blessed them three times. |
| 11So now, go back where you came from! I said that I would greatly honor you; but now the LORD has stood in the way of your honor." | 11Now get out of here! Go back home! I promised to reward you richly, but the LORD has kept you from your reward.” |
| 12Balaam said to Balak, "Did I not also tell your messengers whom you sent to me, | 12Balaam told Balak, “Don’t you remember what I told your messengers? I said, |
| 13If Balak would give me his palace full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of the LORD to do either good or evil of my own will, but whatever the LORD tells me I must speak'? | 13‘Even if Balak were to give me his palace filled with silver and gold, I would be powerless to do anything against the will of the LORD.’ I told you that I could say only what the LORD says! |
| 14And now, I am about to go back to my own people. Come now, and I will advise you as to what this people will do to your people in the future." | 14Now I am returning to my own people. But first let me tell you what the Israelites will do to your people in the future.” Balaam’s Final Messages |
| 15Then he uttered this oracle: "The oracle of Balaam son of Beor; the oracle of the man whose eyes are open; | 15This is the message Balaam delivered: “This is the message of Balaam son of Beor, the message of the man whose eyes see clearly, |
| 16the oracle of the one who hears the words of God, and who knows the knowledge of the Most High, who sees a vision from the Almighty, although falling flat on the ground with eyes open: | 16the message of one who hears the words of God, who has knowledge from the Most High, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who bows down with eyes wide open: |
| 17I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not close at hand. A star will march forth out of Jacob, and a scepter will rise out of Israel. He will crush the skulls of Moab, and the heads of all the sons of Sheth. | 17I see him, but not here and now. I perceive him, but far in the distant future. A star will rise from Jacob; a scepter will emerge from Israel. It will crush the heads of Moab’s people, cracking the skulls of the people of Sheth. |
| 18Edom will be a possession, Seir, his enemies, will also be a possession; but Israel will act valiantly. | 18Edom will be taken over, and Seir, its enemy, will be conquered, while Israel marches on in triumph. |
| 19A ruler will be established from Jacob; he will destroy the remains of the city.'" | 19A ruler will rise in Jacob who will destroy the survivors of Ir.” |
| 20Then Balaam looked on Amalek and delivered this oracle: "Amalek was the first of the nations, but his end will be that he will perish." | 20Then Balaam looked over toward the people of Amalek and delivered this message: “Amalek was the greatest of nations, but its destiny is destruction!” |
| 21Then he looked on the Kenites and uttered this oracle: "Your dwelling place seems strong, and your nest is set on a rocky cliff. | 21Then he looked over toward the Kenites and delivered this message: “Your home is secure; your nest is set in the rocks. |
| 22Nevertheless the Kenite will be consumed. How long will Asshur take you away captive?" | 22But the Kenites will be destroyed when Assyria takes you captive.” |
| 23Then he uttered this oracle: "O, who will survive when God does this! | 23Balaam concluded his messages by saying: “Alas, who can survive unless God has willed it? |
| 24Ships will come from the coast of Kittim, and will afflict Asshur, and will afflict Eber, and he will also perish forever." | 24Ships will come from the coasts of Cyprus ; they will oppress Assyria and afflict Eber, but they, too, will be utterly destroyed.” |
| 25Balaam got up and departed and returned to his home, and Balak also went his way. | 25Then Balaam left and returned home, and Balak also went on his way. |
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