Numbers 24:1-11 ▼

1 And when Balaam saw that it pleased the Lorde that he should blesse Israel, he went not as he dyd twise before to meete a soothsaying: but set his face towarde the wyldernesse.

2 And Balaam lift vp his eyes, and loked vpon Israel as he lay accordyng to his tribes, and the spirite of God came vpon hym.

3 And he toke vp his parable and sayd: Balaam the sonne of Beor hath sayde, and the man whose eyes is open hath sayde:

4 He hath sayde whiche heareth the wordes of God, and seeth the visions of the almightie, and falleth downe with open eyes.

5 Howe goodly are thy tentes O Iacob, and thyne habitations O Israel?

6 Euen as the valleys are they layde abrode, & as gardens by the riuers side, as the tentes whiche the Lorde hath pitched, and as cypres trees beside the waters.

7 The water droppeth out of his bucket, & his seede shalbe in many waters, and his king shalbe hier then Agag, and his kingdome shalbe exalted.

8 God brought hym out of Egypt, his strength is as the Unicorne: He shall eate the nations his enemies, & gnawe their bones, and pearce them through with his arrowes.

9 He couched hym selfe, and lay downe as a Lion, and as an elder Lion: who shall stirre hym vp? Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee.

10 And Balac was wroth with Balaam, and smote his handes together, and Balac said vnto Balaam: I sent for thee to curse mine enemies, and behold thou hast blessed them this three tymes.

11 Therfore nowe get thee quickly vnto thy place: I thought that I would promote thee vnto honour, but lo the Lord hath kept thee backe from worship.