Numbers

1巴兰见耶和华喜欢赐福与以色列，就不像前两次去求法术，却面向旷野。

2巴兰举目，看见以色列人照着支派居住。 神的灵就临到他身上，

3他便题起诗歌说：比珥的儿子巴兰说， 眼目闭住的人说，

4得听 神的言语， 得见全能者的异象， 眼目睁开而仆倒的人说：

5雅各啊，你的帐棚何等华美！ 以色列啊，你的帐幕何其华丽！

6如接连的山谷， 如河旁的园子， 如耶和华所栽的沉香树， 如水边的香柏木。

7水要从他的桶里流出； 种子要撒在多水之处。 他的王必超过亚甲； 他的国必要振兴。

8神领他出埃及； 他似乎有野牛之力。 他要吞吃敌国， 折断他们的骨头， 用箭射透他们。

9他蹲如公狮， 卧如母狮，谁敢惹他？ 凡给你祝福的，愿他蒙福； 凡咒诅你的，愿他受咒诅。

10巴勒向巴兰生气，就拍起手来，对巴兰说：「我召你来为我咒诅仇敌，不料，你这三次竟为他们祝福。

11如今你快回本地去吧！我想使你得大尊荣，耶和华却阻止你不得尊荣。」

12巴兰对巴勒说：「我岂不是对你所差遣到我那里的使者说：

13『巴勒就是将他满屋的金银给我，我也不得越过耶和华的命，凭自己的心意行好行歹。耶和华说什么，我就要说什么』？」

巴兰末次预言

14「现在我要回本族去。你来，我告诉你这民日后要怎样待你的民。」

15他就题起诗歌说：比珥的儿子巴兰说： 眼目闭住的人说，

16得听 神的言语， 明白至高者的意旨， 看见全能者的异象， 眼目睁开而仆倒的人说：

17我看他却不在现时； 我望他却不在近日。 有星要出于雅各，有杖要兴于以色列， 必打破摩押的四角，毁坏扰乱之子。

18他必得以东为基业， 又得仇敌之地西珥为产业； 以色列必行事勇敢。

19有一位出于雅各的，必掌大权； 他要除灭城中的余民。

20巴兰观看亚玛力，就题起诗歌说： 亚玛力原为诸国之首， 但他终必沉沦。

21巴兰观看基尼人，就题起诗歌说： 你的住处本是坚固； 你的窝巢做在岩穴中。

22然而基尼必至衰微， 直到亚述把你掳去。

23巴兰又题起诗歌说： 哀哉！ 神行这事，谁能得活？

24必有人乘船从基提界而来， 苦害亚述，苦害希伯； 他也必至沉沦。

25于是巴兰起来，回他本地去；巴勒也回去了。

Balaam’s Third Oracle

1And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not seek omens as on previous occasions, but he turned his face toward the wilderness.

2When Balaam looked up and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came upon him,

3and he lifted up an oracle, saying: “This is the prophecy of Balaam son of Beor,the prophecy of a man whose eyes are open,

4the prophecy of one who hears the words of God,who sees a vision from the Almighty, who bows down with eyes wide open:

5How lovely are your tents, O Jacob,your dwellings, O Israel!

6They spread out like palm groves,like gardens beside a stream,like aloes the LORD has planted,like cedars beside the waters.

7Water will flow from his buckets,and his seed will have abundant water.His king will be greater than Agag,and his kingdom will be exalted.

8God brought him out of Egyptwith strength like a wild ox,to devour hostile nations and crush their bones,to pierce them with arrows.

9He crouches, he lies down like a lion,like a lioness—who dares to rouse him?Blessed are those who bless youand cursed are those who curse you.”

Balak Dismisses Balaam

10Then Balak’s anger burned against Balaam, and he struck his hands together and said to Balaam, “I summoned you to curse my enemies, but behold, you have persisted in blessing them these three times.

11Therefore, flee at once to your home! I said I would reward you richly, but instead the LORD has denied your reward.”

12Balaam answered Balak, “Did I not already tell the messengers you sent me

13that even if Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything of my own accord, good or bad, to go beyond the command of the LORD? I must speak whatever the LORD says.

14Now I am going back to my people, but come, let me warn you what this people will do to your people in the days to come.”

Balaam’s Fourth Oracle

15Then Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying, “This is the prophecy of Balaam son of Beor,the prophecy of a man whose eyes are open,

16the prophecy of one who hears the words of God,who has knowledge from the Most High,who sees a vision from the Almighty,who bows down with eyes wide open:

17I see him, but not now;I behold him, but not near.A star will come forth from Jacob,and a scepter will arise from Israel.He will crush the skullsof Moaband strike down all the sons of Sheth.

18Edom will become a possession,as will Seir, his enemy; but Israel will perform with valor.

19A ruler will come from Jacoband destroy the survivors of the city.”

Balaam’s Final Three Oracles

20Then Balaam saw Amalek and lifted up an oracle, saying: “Amalek was first among the nations,but his end is destruction.”

21Next he saw the Kenites and lifted up an oracle, saying: “Your dwelling place is secure,and your nest is set in a cliff.

22Yet Kain will be destroyedwhen Asshurtakes you captive.”

23Once more Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying: “Ah, who can liveunless God has ordained it?

24Ships will come from the coasts of Cyprus;they will subdue Asshur and Eber, but they too will perish forever.”

25Then Balaam arose and returned to his homeland, and Balak also went on his way.