Numbers 24

1 When Balaam saw that it pleased Jehovah to bless Israel, he did not go, as at the other times, to meet with omens, but he set his face toward the wilderness.

When Balaam saw that it pleased Yahweh to bless Israel, he did not go, as at the other times, to use sorcery. Instead, he looked toward the wilderness.

2 Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel dwelling according to their tribes; and the Spirit of God came on him.

He raised his eyes and saw that Israel was camped, each in their own tribe, and the Spirit of God came on him.

3 He took up his parable, and said, "Balaam the son of Beor says, the man whose eye was closed says;

He received this prophecy and said, “Balaam son of Beor is about to speak, the man whose eyes are wide open.

4 he says, who hears the words of God, who sees the vision of Shaddai, falling down, and having his eyes open:

He speaks and hears God's words. He sees a vision from the Almighty, Before whom he bows down with his eyes open.

5 How goodly are your tents, Jacob, and your tents, Israel.

How beautiful are your tents, Jacob, the place where you live, Israel!

6 As valleys they are spread forth, as gardens by the riverside, as aloes which Jehovah has planted, as cedar trees beside the waters.

Like valleys they spread out, like gardens by the riverside, like aloes planted by Yahweh, like cedars beside the waters.

7 Water shall flow from his buckets. His seed shall be in many waters. His king shall be higher than Agag. His kingdom shall be exalted.

Water flows from their buckets, and their seed is well-watered. Their king is to be higher than Agag, and their kingdom will be honored.

8 God brings him out of Egypt. He has as it were the strength of the wild ox. He shall eat up the nations his adversaries, shall break their bones in pieces, and pierce them with his arrows.

God brings him out of Egypt, with strength like a wild ox. He will eat up the nations who fight against him. He will break their bones to pieces. He will shoot them with his arrows.

9 He couched, he lay down as a lion, as a lioness; who shall rouse him up? Everyone who blesses you is blessed. Everyone who curses you is cursed."

He crouches down like a lion, like a lioness. Who dares disturb him? May everyone who blesses him be blessed; may everyone who curses him be cursed.”

10 Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam, and he struck his hands together; and Balak said to Balaam, "I called you to curse my enemies, and, look, you have altogether blessed them these three times.

Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam and he struck his hands together in anger. Balak said to Balaam, “I called you to curse my enemies, but look, you have blessed them three times.

11 Therefore now flee you to your place. I thought to promote you to great honor; but, look, Jehovah has kept you back from honor."

So leave me right now and go home. I said I would greatly reward you, but Yahweh has kept you from getting any reward.”

12 Balaam said to Balak, "Did I not also tell your messengers who you sent to me, saying,

Then Balaam replied to Balak, “I said to the messengers that you sent to me,

13 'If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I can't go beyond the word of Jehovah, to do either good or bad in my heart. I will say what God says'?

'Even if Balak gave me his palace full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond Yahweh's word and anything bad or good, or anything at all that I might want to do. I can say only what Yahweh tells me to say.' Did I not say this to them?

14 Now, look, I go to my people: come, I will inform you what this people shall do to your people in the latter days."

So now, look, I will go back to my people. But first let me warn you what this people will do to your people in the days ahead.”

15 He took up his parable, and said, "Balaam the son of Beor says, the man whose eye was closed says;

Balaam began this prophecy. He said, “Balaam son of Beor speaks, The man whose eyes are wide open.

16 he says, who hears the words of God, knows the knowledge of the Most High, and who sees the vision of Shaddai, falling down, and having his eyes open:

This is a prophecy of someone who hears words from God, who has knowledge from the Most High, who has visions from the Almighty, Before whom he bows down with open eyes.

17 I see him, but not now. I see him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob. A scepter will rise out of Israel, and will crush the forehead of Moab, and the crown of all the sons of tumult.

I see him, but he is not here now. I look at him, but he is not near. A star will come out of Jacob, and a scepter will rise out of Israel. He will shatter Moab's leaders and destroy all the descendants of Seth.

18 Edom shall be a possession. Seir, his enemies, also shall be a possession, while Israel does valiantly.

Then Edom will become a possession of Israel, and Seir will also become their possession, enemies of Israel, whom Israel will conquer with force.

19 Out of Jacob shall one have dominion, and shall destroy the remnant from the city."

Out of Jacob a king will come who will have dominion, and he will destroy the survivors of their city.”

20 He looked at Amalek, and took up his parable, and said, "Amalek was the first of the nations, But his latter end shall come to destruction."

Then Balaam looked at Amalek and began his prophecy. He said, “Amalek was once the greatest of nations, but his final end will be destruction.”

21 He looked at the Kenite, and took up his parable, and said, "Your dwelling place is strong. Your nest is set in the rock.

Then Balaam looked toward the Kenites and began his prophecy. He said, “The place where you live is strong, and your nest is in the rocks.

22 Nevertheless Kain shall be wasted, until Asshur carries you away captive."

Nevertheless you Kenites will be consumed by fire when Assyria carries you away captive.”

23 He took up his parable, and said, "Alas, who shall live when God does this?

Then Balaam began his final prophecy. He said, “Woe! Who will survive when God does this?

24 But ships shall come from the coast of Kittim. They shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber. He also shall come to destruction."

Ships will come from the coast of Kittim; they will attack Assyria and will conquer Eber, but they, too, will end in destruction.”

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

Then Balaam got up and left. He returned to his home, and Balak also went away.