Numbers 24

1When Balaam saw that it pleased Yahweh to bless Israel, he did not go off as he had done before to look for omens. Instead he turned his face toward the wilderness.

2Balaam looked up and saw Israel camped tribe by tribe, and the Spirit of God came on him.

3Then he spoke his oracle: “The oracle of Balaam son of Beor, the oracle of the man whose eye is opened,

4the oracle of one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who falls down with his eyes uncovered:

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

6Like valleys they spread out, like gardens beside a river, like aloes that Yahweh 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 brings him out of Egypt; he has the strength of a wild ox. He devours hostile nations and breaks their bones in pieces; he strikes them with his arrows.

9He crouches, he lies down like a lion, like a lioness; who dares to rouse him? Blessed is everyone who blesses you, and cursed is everyone who curses you.”

10Then Balak’s anger burned against Balaam. He struck his hands together and said to Balaam, “I summoned you to curse my enemies, but you have done nothing but bless them these three times!

11Now get out of here and go home! I said I would reward you richly, but Yahweh has kept you from being rewarded.”

12Balaam said to Balak, “Did I not tell the messengers you sent to me,

13‘Even if Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the command of Yahweh to do anything good or bad on my own. I must say whatever Yahweh says’?

14Now I am going back to my people. Come, let me advise you about what this people will do to your people in days to come.”

15Then he spoke his oracle: “The oracle of Balaam son of Beor, the oracle of the man whose eye is opened,

16the oracle of one who hears the words of God, who has knowledge from the Most High, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who falls down with his eyes uncovered:

17I see him, but not now; I watch him, but not from near. A star will come out of Jacob, and a scepter will rise out of Israel. He will crush the foreheads of Moab and break down all the sons of Sheth.

18Edom will become a possession; Seir, his enemy, will become a possession, while Israel acts valiantly.

19One from Jacob will rule and will destroy the survivors of the city.”

20Then Balaam looked at Amalek and spoke his oracle: “Amalek was first among the nations, but his end will be destruction.”

21Then he looked at the Kenites and spoke his oracle: “Your dwelling place is secure, and your nest is set in the rock.

22Yet Kain will be burned up. How long until Asshur takes you captive?”

23Then he spoke his oracle: “Ah, who can live when God does this?

24Ships will come from the coast of Kittim; they will humble Asshur and humble Eber, but he too will come to destruction.”

25Then Balaam got up and went back to his home, and Balak also went on his way.