Numbers 24

1 And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he went not, as at other times, to seek for enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness.

When Balaam saw that the Lord wanted to bless Israel, he chose not to use divination as he had previously. Instead he turned towards the desert,

2 And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel abiding in his tents according to their tribes; and the spirit of God came upon him.

and as he looked at Israel camped there according to their respective tribes, the Spirit of God came on him.

3 And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor has said, and the man whose eyes are open has said:

He gave a declaration, saying:

4 He has said, which heard the words of God, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open:

“This is the prophecy of Balaam, son of Beor, the prophecy of a man who sees with eyes are wide open, the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who sees the vision given by Almighty, who bows down in respect with open eyes.

5 How goodly are your tents, O Jacob, and your tabernacles, O Israel!

How well set out your tents are, Jacob; the places where you live, Israel!

6 As the valleys are they spread forth, as gardens by the river's side, as the trees of lign aloes which the LORD has planted, and as cedar trees beside the waters.

They look like wooded valleys, like gardens beside a river, like aloe trees the Lord has planted, like cedars at the water's edge.

7 He shall pour the water out of his buckets, and his seed shall be in many waters, and his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted.

The Israelites will pour out bucketfuls of water; their descendants will have plenty of water. Their king will be greater than King Agag; their kingdom will be glorious.

8 God brought him forth out of Egypt; he has as it were the strength of an unicorn (ox): he shall eat up the nations his enemies, and shall break their bones, and pierce them through with his arrows.

God led them out of Egypt with great power, as strong as an ox, destroying enemy nations, breaking their bones, piercing them with arrows.

9 He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a great lion: who shall stir him up? Blessed is he that blesses you, and cursed is he that curses you.

They are like a lion that crouches and lies down. They are like a lioness that nobody dares to disturb. Those who bless you will be blessed; those who curse you will be cursed.”

10 And Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam, and he stroke his hands together: and Balak said unto Balaam, I called you to curse mine enemies, and, behold, you have altogether blessed them these three times.

Balak got angry with Balaam, and beat his fists together. He told Balaam, “I brought you here to curse my enemies, and now look! You keep on blessing them, doing it three times.

11 Therefore now flee you to your place: I thought to promote you unto great honour; but, lo, the LORD has kept you back from honour.

Leave right now! Go home! I promised to pay you well, but the Lord has made sure you wouldn't receive any payment.”

12 And Balaam said unto Balak, Spoke I not also to your messengers which you sent unto me, saying,

But Balaam said to Balak, “Didn't I already explain to the messengers you sent

13 If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of the LORD, to do either good or bad of mine own mind; but what the LORD says, that will I speak?

that even if you gave me your whole palace full of silver and gold, I couldn't do anything I wanted or disobey the command of the Lord my God in any way? I can only say what the Lord tells me.

14 And now, behold, I go unto my people: come therefore, and I will advertise you what this people shall do to your people in the latter days.

Listen! I'm going back home now to my own people, but first let me warn you what these Israelites are going to do to your people in the future.”

15 And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor has said, and the man whose eyes are open has said:

Then Balaam gave a declaration, saying, “This is the prophecy of Balaam, son of Beor, the prophecy of a man whose eyes are wide open

16 He has said, which heard the words of God, and knew the knowledge of the most High, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open:

the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who receives knowledge from the Most High, who sees the vision given by Almighty, who bows down in respect with open eyes.

17 I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall strike the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.

I see him, but this isn't now. I observe him, but this isn't close at hand. In the future a leader like a star will come from Jacob, a ruler with a scepter will come to power from Israel. He will crush the heads of the Moabites, and destroy all the people of Seth.

18 And Edom shall be a possession, Seir also shall be a possession for his enemies; and Israel shall do valiantly.

The country of Edom will be conquered, his enemy Seir will be conquered, and the Israelites will be victorious.

19 Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion, and shall destroy him that remains of the city.

A ruler from Jacob will come and destroy those left in the city.”

20 And when he looked on Amalek, he took up his parable, and said, Amalek was the first of the nations; but his latter end shall be that he perish for ever.

Balaam turned his attention to the Amalekites and gave this declaration about them, saying, “Amalek was first among the nations, but they will end up being destroyed.”

21 And he looked on the Kenites, and took up his parable, and said, Strong is your dwelling place, and you put your nest in a rock.

He turned his attention to the Kenites and gave this declaration about them, saying, “Where you live is safe and secure, like a nest on a cliff-face.

22 Nevertheless the Kenite shall be wasted, until Asshur shall carry you away captive.

But Kain will be burned down when Assyria conquers you.”

23 And he took up his parable, and said, Alas, who shall live when God does this!

Then Balaam gave another declaration, saying, “It's a tragedy! Who can survive when God does this?

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

Ships will be sent from Cyprus to attack Assyria and Eber, but they too will be permanently destroyed.”

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

Then Balaam left and returned to his own country, and Balak left too.