Numbers 24:1-22 ▼

1 And Balaam saw that it was good in the eyes of YHWH to bless Israel, and he did not go as time by time to seek to use sorcery, and he set his face toward the wilderness.

2 And Balaam lifted up his eyes and saw Israel encamped according to their tribes, and the Spirit of God came upon him.

3 And he lifted up his oracle and said: “An utterance of Balaam son of Beor, and a declaration of the man whose eyes are opened.

4 An utterance of him who hears the words of God, who sees a vision of Shaddai, and who falls down with eyes wide open.

5 How lovely are your tents, O Jacob, Your dwellings, O Israel!

6 Like valleys that stretch out, like gardens by the river, like aloes planted by YHWH, like cedars beside the waters.

7 He shall pour water from his buckets, and his seed is abundant in waters. And his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted.

8 God brings him out of Egypt; strength like a wild ox is unto him. He shall consume his enemies the nations, and their bones he shall break, and pierce them with his arrows.

9 He crouches, he lies down like a lion, and as a lioness, who shall rouse him? He who blesses you is blessed and he who curses you is cursed.”

10 And the anger of Balak was kindled against Balaam, and he struck together his hands. And Balak said to Balaam, “I called you to curse my enemies, and behold, you have surely blessed them these three times.

11 And now flee for yourself to your place! I said I would richly reward you, and in fact YHWH has kept you back from honor.”

12 And Balaam said to Balak, “Was it not even to your messengers whom you sent to me that I spoke, saying

13 that if Balak were to give to me the fullness of his house in silver and gold, I could not go beyond the word of YHWH to do good or bad of my own will? That which YHWH says, that I must speak.

14 And indeed I am going to my people; come, I will counsel you what this people will do to your people in the latter days.”

15 And he lifted up his oracle and said, “An utterance of Balaam son of Beor and a declaration of the man with opened eyes,

16 a declaration of him who hears the words of God and has the knowledge of the Most High; the vision of Shaddai he sees, falling down and eyes wide open.

17 I 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, and batter the brow of Moab and destroy all the sons of tumult.

18 And Edom shall be a possession, and Seir shall be a possession for his enemies, and Israel will act valiantly.

19 And one shall have dominion out of Jacob and destroy the remains of the city.”

20 And he saw Amalek, and he lifted up his oracle and said, “Amalek was first among the nations, and his end is utter destruction.”

21 And he looked on the Kenite, and he lifted up his oracle and said, “Enduring is your dwelling place, and your nest is set in the rock.

22 For nevertheless the Kenite shall be for burning, until when Asshur will take you captive.”