Numbers 24

1 And Balaam saw that it was good in the sight of Jehovah to bless Israel, and he went not, as at other times, to seek for enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness.

And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not resort to sorcery as on previous occasions, but he turned his face toward the wilderness.

2 And Balaam lifted up his eyes and saw Israel dwelling [in tents] according to his tribes; and the Spirit of God came upon him.

When Balaam looked up and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came upon him,

3 And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor saith, and the man of opened eye saith,

and he lifted up an oracle, saying: “This is the prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of a man whose eyes are open,

4 He saith, who heareth the words of God, who seeth the vision of the Almighty, who falleth down, and who hath his eyes open:

the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who bows down with eyes wide open:

5 How goodly are thy tents, Jacob, and thy tabernacles, Israel!

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

6 Like valleys are they spread forth, like gardens by the river side, Like aloe-trees which Jehovah hath planted, like cedars beside the waters.

They spread out like palm groves, like gardens beside a stream, like aloes the LORD has planted, like cedars beside the waters.

7 Water shall flow out of his buckets, and his seed shall be in great waters, And his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted.

Water will flow from his buckets, and his seed will have abundant water. His king will be greater than Agag, and his kingdom will be exalted.

8 God brought him out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of a buffalo. He shall consume the nations his enemies, and break their bones, and with his arrows shall smite [them] in pieces.

God brought him out of Egypt with strength like a wild ox, to devour hostile nations and crush their bones, to pierce them with arrows.

9 He stooped, he lay down like a lion, and like a lioness: who will stir him up? Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee.

He crouches, he lies down like a lion; like a lioness, who dares to rouse him? Blessed are those who bless you and cursed are those who curse you.”

10 Then Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam, and he smote his hands together; and Balak said to Balaam, I called thee to curse mine enemies, and behold, thou hast altogether blessed [them] these three times!

Then Balak’s anger burned against Balaam, and he struck his hands together and said to Balaam, “I summoned you to curse my enemies, but behold, you have persisted in blessing them these three times.

11 And now flee thou to thy place; I said I would very highly honour thee, and behold, Jehovah has kept thee back from honour.

Therefore, flee at once to your home! I said I would richly reward you, but instead the LORD has denied your reward.”

12 And Balaam said to Balak, Did I not also speak to thy messengers whom thou sentest to me, saying,

Balaam answered Balak, “Did I not already tell the messengers you sent me

13 If Balak gave me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the commandment of Jehovah to do good or bad out of my heart: what Jehovah shall say, that will I speak?

that even if Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything of my own accord, good or bad, to go beyond the command of the LORD? I will speak whatever the LORD says.

14 And now behold, I go to my people: come, I will admonish thee what this people will do to thy people at the end of days.

Now I am going back to my people, but come, let me warn you what this people will do to your people in the days to come.”

15 And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor saith, and the man of opened eye saith,

Then Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying, “This is the prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of a man whose eyes are open,

16 He saith, who heareth the words of God, who knoweth the knowledge of the Most High, Who seeth the vision of the Almighty, who falleth down, and who hath his eyes open:

the prophecy 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:

17 I shall see him, but not now; I shall behold him, but not nigh: There cometh a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and he shall cut in pieces the corners of Moab, and destroy all the sons of tumult.

I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come forth from Jacob, and a scepter will arise from Israel. He will crush the skulls of Moab and strike down all the sons of Sheth.

18 And Edom shall be a possession, and Seir a possession, — they, his enemies; but Israel will do valiantly.

Edom will become a possession, as will Seir, his enemy; but Israel will perform with valor.

19 And one out of Jacob shall have dominion, and will destroy out of the city what remaineth.

A ruler will come from Jacob and destroy the survivors of the city.”

20 And he saw Amalek, and took up his parable, and said, Amalek is the first of the nations, but his latter end shall be for destruction.

Then Balaam saw Amalek and lifted up an oracle, saying: “Amalek was first among the nations, but his end is destruction.”

21 And he saw the Kenites, and took up his parable, and said, Firm is thy dwelling-place, and thy nest fixed in the rock;

Next he saw the Kenites and lifted up an oracle, saying: “Your dwelling place is secure, and your nest is set in a cliff.

22 But the Kenite shall be consumed, until Asshur shall carry thee away captive.

Yet Kain will be destroyed when Asshur takes you captive.”

23 And he took up his parable, and said, Alas! Who shall live when God doeth this?

Once more Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying: “Ah, who can live unless God has ordained it?

24 And ships shall come from the coast of Chittim, and afflict Asshur, and afflict Eber, and he also shall be for destruction.

Ships will come from the coasts of Cyprus; they will subdue Asshur and Eber, but they too will perish forever.”

25 And Balaam rose up, and went and returned to his place; and Balak also went his way.

Then Balaam arose and returned to his homeland, and Balak also went on his way.