Numbers 24:2-25 ▼

2 When Balaam lifted up his eyes, he saw Israel camped tribe by tribe; and the Spirit of God came upon him.

3 Then he uttered this oracle: |The oracle of Balaam son of Beor; the oracle of the man whose eyes are open;

4 the 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:

5 How beautiful are your tents, O Jacob, and your dwelling places, O Israel!

6 They 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.

7 He 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.

8 God 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.

9 They 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!'|

10 Then 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!

11 So 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.|

12 Balaam said to Balak, |Did I not also tell your messengers whom you sent to me,

13 If 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'?

14 And 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.|

15 Then he uttered this oracle: |The oracle of Balaam son of Beor; the oracle of the man whose eyes are open;

16 the 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:

17 I 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.

18 Edom will be a possession, Seir, his enemies, will also be a possession; but Israel will act valiantly.

19 A ruler will be established from Jacob; he will destroy the remains of the city.'|

20 Then Balaam looked on Amalek and delivered this oracle: |Amalek was the first of the nations, but his end will be that he will perish.|

21 Then he looked on the Kenites and uttered this oracle: |Your dwelling place seems strong, and your nest is set on a rocky cliff.

22 Nevertheless the Kenite will be consumed. How long will Asshur take you away captive?|

23 Then he uttered this oracle: |O, who will survive when God does this!

24 Ships will come from the coast of Kittim, and will afflict Asshur, and will afflict Eber, and he will also perish forever.|

25 Balaam got up and departed and returned to his home, and Balak also went his way.