[1] When Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not
go, as at other times, to look for omens, but set his face toward the
wilderness. [2] And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and saw Israel encamping
tribe by tribe. And the Spirit of God came upon him, [3] and he took up his
discourse, and said, "The oracle of Balaam the son of Be'or, the oracle of
the man whose eye is opened, [4] the oracle of him who hears the words of
God, who sees the vision of the Almighty, falling down, but having his eyes
uncovered: [5] how fair are your tents, O Jacob, your encampments, O
Israel! [6] Like valleys that stretch afar, like gardens beside a river,
like aloes that the LORD has planted, like cedar trees beside the waters.
[7] Water shall flow from his buckets, and his seed shall be in many
waters, his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be
exalted. [8] God brings him out of Egypt; he has as it were the horns of
the wild ox, he shall eat up the nations his adversaries, and shall break
their bones in pieces, and pierce them through with his arrows. [9] He
couched, he lay down like a lion, and like a lioness; who will rouse him
up? Blessed be every one who blesses you, and cursed be every one who
curses you." [10] And 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 behold, you have blessed them these three times. [11]
Therefore now flee to your place; I said, `I will certainly honor you,' but
the LORD has held you back from honor." [12] And Balaam said to Balak, "Did
I not tell your messengers whom you sent to me, [13] `If Balak should give
me his house full of silver and gold, I would not be able to go beyond the
word of the LORD, to do either good or bad of my own will; what the LORD
speaks, that will I speak'? [14] And now, behold, I am going to my people;
come, I will let you know what this people will do to your people in the
latter days." [15] And he took up his discourse, and said, "The oracle of
Balaam the son of Be'or, the oracle of the man whose eye is opened, [16]
the oracle of him who hears the words of God, and knows the knowledge of
the Most High, who sees the vision of the Almighty, falling down, but
having his eyes uncovered: [17] I see him, but not now; I behold him, but
not nigh: a star shall come forth out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise
out of Israel; it shall crush the forehead of Moab, and break down all the
sons of Sheth. [18] Edom shall be dispossessed, Se'ir also, his enemies,
shall be dispossessed, while Israel does valiantly. [19] By Jacob shall
dominion be exercised, and the survivors of cities be destroyed!" [20] Then
he looked on Am'alek, and took up his discourse, and said, "Am'alek was the
first of the nations, but in the end he shall come to destruction." [21]
And he looked on the Ken'ite, and took up his discourse, and said,
"Enduring is your dwelling place, and your nest is set in the rock; [22]
nevertheless Kain shall be wasted. How long shall Asshur take you away
captive?" [23] And he took up his discourse, and said, "Alas, who shall
live when God does this? [24] But ships shall come from Kittim and shall
afflict Asshur and Eber; and he also shall come to destruction." [25] Then
Balaam rose, and went back to his place; and Balak also went his way.
