Numbers 24
1 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.
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.
2 He raised his eyes and saw that Israel was camped, each in their own tribe, and the Spirit of God came on him.
And Balaam lifted up his eyes and saw Israel dwelling [in tents] according to his tribes; and the Spirit of God came upon him.
3 He received this prophecy and said, “Balaam son of Beor is about to speak, the man whose eyes are wide open.
And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor saith, and the man of opened eye saith,
4 He speaks and hears God's words. He sees a vision from the Almighty, Before whom he bows down with his eyes open.
He saith, who heareth the words of God, who seeth the vision of the Almighty, who falleth down, and who hath his eyes open:
5 How beautiful are your tents, Jacob, the place where you live, Israel!
How goodly are thy tents, Jacob, and thy tabernacles, Israel!
6 Like valleys they spread out, like gardens by the riverside, like aloes planted by Yahweh, like cedars beside the waters.
Like valleys are they spread forth, like gardens by the river side, Like aloe-trees which Jehovah hath planted, like cedars beside the waters.
7 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.
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.
8 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.
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.
9 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.”
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.
10 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.
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!
11 So leave me right now and go home. I said I would greatly reward you, but Yahweh has kept you from getting any reward.”
And now flee thou to thy place; I said I would very highly honour thee, and behold, Jehovah has kept thee back from honour.
12 Then Balaam replied to Balak, “I said to the messengers that you sent to me,
And Balaam said to Balak, Did I not also speak to thy messengers whom thou sentest to me, saying,
13 '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?
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?
14 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.”
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.
15 Balaam began this prophecy. He said, “Balaam son of Beor speaks, The man whose eyes are wide open.
And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor saith, and the man of opened eye saith,
16 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.
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:
17 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.
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.
18 Then Edom will become a possession of Israel, and Seir will also become their possession, enemies of Israel, whom Israel will conquer with force.
And Edom shall be a possession, and Seir a possession, — they, his enemies; but Israel will do valiantly.
19 Out of Jacob a king will come who will have dominion, and he will destroy the survivors of their city.”
And one out of Jacob shall have dominion, and will destroy out of the city what remaineth.
20 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.”
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.
21 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.
And he saw the Kenites, and took up his parable, and said, Firm is thy dwelling-place, and thy nest fixed in the rock;
22 Nevertheless you Kenites will be consumed by fire when Assyria carries you away captive.”
But the Kenite shall be consumed, until Asshur shall carry thee away captive.
23 Then Balaam began his final prophecy. He said, “Woe! Who will survive when God does this?
And he took up his parable, and said, Alas! Who shall live when God doeth this?
24 Ships will come from the coast of Kittim; they will attack Assyria and will conquer Eber, but they, too, will end in destruction.”
And ships shall come from the coast of Chittim, and afflict Asshur, and afflict Eber, and he also shall be for destruction.
25 Then Balaam got up and left. He returned to his home, and Balak also went away.
And Balaam rose up, and went and returned to his place; and Balak also went his way.
