Numbers 24

1Balaam saw that blessing Israel was good in Yahweh's eyes, and he did not go, as on previous occasions, to seek omens, but set his face toward the wilderness.

2Balaam raised his eyes and saw Israel dwelling by their tribes, and God's Spirit came upon him.

3He took up his oracle and said, "Balaam son of Beor utters an oracle, the man whose eye is open utters an oracle."

4Says the one who hears God's words, who sees the vision of the Almighty, falling with open eyes.

5How good are your tents, Jacob, your dwellings, Israel!

6Like valleys they extend, like gardens beside a river, like aloes planted by Yahweh, like cedars beside the waters.

7Water will pour from his buckets, and his seed will be amid many waters; his king will rise higher than Agag, and his kingdom will be exalted.

8God brings him out from Egypt; the strength of the wild ox is his. He devours the nations that oppose him, shatters their bones, and pierces them with his arrows.

9He crouches, he lies down like a lion, like a lioness—who shall rouse him? Those who bless you are blessed, and those who curse you are cursed.

10Balak burned with anger against Balaam, struck his palms together, and said to Balaam, "I called you to curse my enemies, and look, you have blessed them these three times."

11Now flee to your place! I said I would greatly honor you, but behold, Yahweh has withheld honor from you.

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

13If Balak gave me his house full of silver and gold, I could not transgress Yahweh's word to do good or evil from my own heart—what Yahweh speaks, that I will speak.

14Now, see, I am going to my people. Come, I will advise you what this people will do to your people in the end of the days.

15He lifted up his parable and said, "Oracle of Balaam son of Beor, and oracle of the open-eyed man."

16says the one who hears God's words, knows the knowledge of the Most High, sees the vision of the Almighty, falling with eyes uncovered.

17I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star advances from Jacob, a scepter rises from Israel, crushing Moab's foreheads and shattering all Sheth's sons.

18Edom shall be a possession, Seir, his enemies, shall be a possession, and Israel acts with valor.

19One from Jacob will rule and destroy the remnant from the city.

20He looked at Amalek, raised his oracle, and said, "Amalek stands first among nations, but destruction forever marks his end."

21He looked at the Kenite, lifted his oracle, and said, "Firm is your habitation, and you set your nest in the rock."

22Nevertheless, the Kenite will be burned up when Assyria takes you captive.

23He raised his parable and said, "Alas, who shall live when God appoints this?"

24Ships from Kittim's coast will humble Assyria and humble Eber, and he too will perish forever.

25Balaam arose, went away, and returned to his place, and Balak also went his way.