Numbers

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.

1When Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he didn’t go, as at the other times, to use divination, but he set his face toward the wilderness.

2Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel dwelling according to their tribes; and the Spirit of God came on him.

3He took up his parable, and said,“Balaam the son of Beor says,the man whose eyes are open says;

4he says, who hears the words of God,who sees the vision of the Almighty, falling down, and having his eyes open:

5How goodly are your tents, Jacob,and your dwellings, Israel!

6As valleys they are spread out,as gardens by the riverside, as aloes which the LORD has planted, as cedar trees beside the waters.

7Water shall flow from his buckets.His seed shall be in many waters.His king shall be higher than Agag.His kingdom shall be exalted.

8God brings him out of Egypt.He has as it were the strength of the wild ox.He shall consume the nations his adversaries,shall break their bones in pieces, and pierce them with his arrows.

9He couched, he lay down as a lion,as a lioness; who shall rouse him up?Everyone who blesses you is blessed.Everyone who curses you is cursed.”

10Balak’s anger burned against Balaam, and he struck his hands together. Balak said to Balaam, “I called you to curse my enemies, and, behold, you have altogether blessed them these three times.

11Therefore, flee to your place, now! I thought to promote you to great honor; but, behold, the LORD has kept you back from honor.”

12Balaam said to Balak, “Didn’t I also tell your messengers whom you sent to me, saying,

13‘If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I can’t go beyond the LORD’s word, to do either good or bad from my own mind. I will say what the LORD says’?

14Now, behold, I go to my people. Come, I will inform you what this people shall do to your people in the latter days.”

15He took up his parable, and said,“Balaam the son of Beor says,the man whose eyes are open says;

16he says, who hears the words of God, knows the knowledge of the Most High, and who sees the vision of the Almighty, falling down, and having his eyes open:

17I see him, but not now.I see him, but not near.A star will come out of Jacob.A scepter will rise out of Israel,and shall strike through the corners of Moab,and crush all the sons of Sheth.

18Edom shall be a possession.Seir, his enemy, also shall be a possession, while Israel does valiantly.

19Out of Jacob shall one have dominion,and shall destroy the remnant from the city.”

20He looked at Amalek, and took up his parable, and said,“Amalek was the first of the nations,but his latter end shall come to destruction.”

21He looked at the Kenite, and took up his parable, and said,“Your dwelling place is strong.Your nest is set in the rock.

22Nevertheless Kain shall be wasted,until Asshur carries you away captive.”

23He took up his parable, and said,“Alas, who shall live when God does this?

24But ships shall come from the coast of Kittim.They shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber.He also shall come to destruction.”

25Balaam rose up, and went and returned to his place; and Balak also went his way.