1When Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not go, as he had other times, to look for omens. Instead he turned his face toward the wilderness.
2Balaam lifted up his eyes and saw Israel camped in their tents, tribe by tribe. And the spirit of God came upon him.
3He began his message and said: "Balaam the son of Beor has spoken, the man whose eyes are open has spoken:"
4"He has spoken, the man who heard the words of God, who saw the vision of the Almighty, falling down, but with his eyes open:"
5"How lovely are your tents, Jacob, and your dwellings, Israel!"
6"They spread out like valleys, like gardens beside a river, like aloe trees that the LORD has planted, like cedar trees beside the waters."
7"He will pour the water out of his buckets, and his seed will be in many waters. His king will be higher than Agag, and his kingdom will be lifted up."
8"God brought him out of Egypt. He has strength like a unicorn. He will eat up the nations that are his enemies, and break their bones, and pierce them through with his arrows."
9"He crouched, he lay down like a lion, like a great lion. Who will rouse him? Blessed is everyone who blesses you, and cursed is everyone who curses you."
10Then Balak's anger burned against Balaam, and he struck his hands together. Balak said to Balaam, "I called you to curse my enemies, and look, you have blessed them three times over."
11"So run away now to your own place. I meant to give you great honour, but look, the LORD has kept you back from honour."
12Balaam said to Balak, "Did I not say to the messengers you sent to me,"
13"'Even if Balak gave me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the command of the LORD, to do good or bad out of my own mind. What the LORD says, that is what I will speak'?"
14"And now, look, I am going back to my people. Come, and I will tell you what this people will do to your people in the days to come."
15He began his message and said: "Balaam the son of Beor has spoken, the man whose eyes are open has spoken:"
16"He has spoken, the man who heard the words of God, and knew the knowledge of the Most High, who saw the vision of the Almighty, falling down, but with his eyes open:"
17"I shall see him, but not now. I shall look at him, but not near. A Star will come out of Jacob, and a Sceptre will rise out of Israel. It will strike the corners of Moab and destroy all the children of Sheth."
18"Edom will be taken over, Seir also will be taken over by his enemies, and Israel will act with courage."
19"Out of Jacob will come one who will rule, and he will destroy whoever is left of the city."
20Then he looked at Amalek, and began his message and said: "Amalek was the first of the nations, but his end will be that he perishes for ever."
21He looked at the Kenites, and began his message and said: "Your dwelling place is strong, and you set your nest in a rock."
22"Yet the Kenite will be laid waste, until Asshur carries you away captive."
23He began his message and said: "Alas, who will live when God does this!"
24"Ships will come from the coast of Chittim. They will afflict Asshur, and afflict Eber, and he too will perish for ever."
25Then Balaam got up and went back to his own place, and Balak also went his way.