| Berean Study Bible | New International Version |
| 1And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not resort to sorcery as on previous occasions, but he turned his face toward the wilderness. | 1Now when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not resort to divination as at other times, but turned his face toward the wilderness. |
| 2When Balaam looked up and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came upon him, | 2When Balaam looked out and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came on 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, | 3and he spoke his message: "The prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of one whose eye sees clearly, |
| 4the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who bows down with eyes wide open: | 4the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who falls prostrate, and whose eyes are opened: |
| 5How lovely are your tents, O Jacob, your dwellings, O Israel! | 5"How beautiful are your tents, Jacob, your dwelling places, Israel! |
| 6They spread out like palm groves, like gardens beside a stream, like aloes the LORD has planted, like cedars beside the waters. | 6"Like valleys they spread out, like gardens beside a river, like aloes planted by the LORD, 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. | 7Water will flow from their buckets; their seed will have abundant water. "Their king will be greater than Agag; their kingdom will be exalted. |
| 8God brought him out of Egypt with strength like a wild ox, to devour hostile nations and crush their bones, to pierce them with arrows. | 8"God brought them out of Egypt; they have the strength of a wild ox. They devour hostile nations and break their bones in pieces; with their arrows they pierce them. |
| 9He crouches, he lies down like a lion; like a lioness, who dares to rouse him? Blessed are those who bless you and cursed are those who curse you.” | 9Like a lion they crouch and lie down, like a lioness--who dares to rouse them? "May those who bless you be blessed and those who curse you be cursed!" |
| 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. | 10Then Balak's anger burned against Balaam. He struck his hands together and said to him, "I summoned you to curse my enemies, but you have blessed them these three times. |
| 11Therefore, flee at once to your home! I said I would richly reward you, but instead the LORD has denied your reward.” | 11Now leave at once and go home! I said I would reward you handsomely, but the LORD has kept you from being rewarded." |
| 12Balaam answered Balak, “Did I not already tell the messengers you sent me | 12Balaam answered Balak, "Did I not 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 will speak whatever the LORD says. | 13Even if Balak gave me all the silver and gold in his palace, I could not do anything of my own accord, good or bad, to go beyond the command of the LORD--and I must say only what 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.” | 14Now I am going back to my people, but come, let me warn you of what this people will do to your people in days to come." |
| 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, | 15Then he spoke his message: "The prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of one whose eye sees clearly, |
| 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: | 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 falls prostrate, and whose eyes are opened: |
| 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 skulls of Moab and strike down all the sons of Sheth. | 17"I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel. He will crush the foreheads of Moab, the skulls of all the people of Sheth. |
| 18Edom will become a possession, as will Seir, his enemy; but Israel will perform with valor. | 18Edom will be conquered; Seir, his enemy, will be conquered, but Israel will grow strong. |
| 19A ruler will come from Jacob and destroy the survivors of the city.” | 19A ruler will come out of Jacob and destroy the survivors of the city." |
| 20Then Balaam saw Amalek and lifted up an oracle, saying: “Amalek was first among the nations, but his end is destruction.” | 20Then Balaam saw Amalek and spoke his message: "Amalek was first among the nations, but their end will be utter 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. | 21Then he saw the Kenites and spoke his message: "Your dwelling place is secure, your nest is set in a rock; |
| 22Yet Kain will be destroyed when Asshur takes you captive.” | 22yet you Kenites will be destroyed when Ashur takes you captive." |
| 23Once more Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying: “Ah, who can live unless God has ordained it? | 23Then he spoke his message: "Alas! Who can live when God does this? |
| 24Ships will come from the coasts of Cyprus; they will subdue Asshur and Eber, but they too will perish forever.” | 24Ships will come from the shores of Cyprus; they will subdue Ashur and Eber, but they too will come to ruin." |
| 25Then Balaam arose and returned to his homeland, and Balak also went on his way. | 25Then Balaam got up and returned home, and Balak went his own way. |
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