| English Standard Version | NET Bible |
| 1When Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not go, as at other times, to look for omens, but set his face toward the wilderness. | 1When Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not go as at the other times to seek for omens, but he set his face toward the wilderness. |
| 2And Balaam lifted up his eyes and saw Israel camping tribe by tribe. And the Spirit of God came upon him, | 2When Balaam lifted up his eyes, he saw Israel camped tribe by tribe; and the Spirit of God came upon him. |
| 3and he took up his discourse and said, “The oracle of Balaam the son of Beor, the oracle of the man whose eye is opened, | 3Then he uttered this oracle: "The oracle of Balaam son of Beor; the oracle of the man whose eyes are open; |
| 4the oracle of him who hears the words of God, who sees the vision of the Almighty, falling down with his eyes uncovered: | 4the oracle of the one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, although falling flat on the ground with eyes open: |
| 5How lovely are your tents, O Jacob, your encampments, O Israel! | 5How beautiful are your tents, O Jacob, and your dwelling places, O Israel! |
| 6Like palm groves that stretch afar, like gardens beside a river, like aloes that the LORD has planted, like cedar trees beside the waters. | 6They are like valleys stretched forth, like gardens by the river's side, like aloes that the LORD has planted, and like cedar trees beside the waters. |
| 7Water shall flow from his buckets, and his seed shall be in many waters; his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted. | 7He will pour the water out of his buckets, and their descendants will be like abundant water; their king will be greater than Agag, and their kingdom will be exalted. |
| 8God brings him out of Egypt and is for him like the horns of the wild ox; he shall eat up the nations, his adversaries, and shall break their bones in pieces and pierce them through with his arrows. | 8God brought them out of Egypt. They have, as it were, the strength of a young bull; they will devour hostile people and will break their bones and will pierce them through with arrows. |
| 9He crouched, he lay down like a lion and like a lioness; who will rouse him up? Blessed are those who bless you, and cursed are those who curse you.” | 9They crouch and lie down like a lion, and as a lioness, who can stir him? Blessed is the one who blesses you, and cursed is the one who curses you!'" |
| 10And Balak’s anger was kindled against Balaam, and he struck his hands together. And Balak said to Balaam, “I called you to curse my enemies, and behold, you have blessed them these three times. | 10Then Balak became very angry at Balaam, and he struck his hands together. Balak said to Balaam, "I called you to curse my enemies, and look, you have done nothing but bless them these three times! |
| 11Therefore now flee to your own place. I said, ‘I will certainly honor you,’ but the LORD has held you back from honor.” | 11So now, go back where you came from! I said that I would greatly honor you; but now the LORD has stood in the way of your honor." |
| 12And Balaam said to Balak, “Did I not tell your messengers whom you sent to me, | 12Balaam said to Balak, "Did I not also tell your messengers whom you sent to me, |
| 13‘If Balak should give me his house full of silver and gold, I would not be able to go beyond the word of the LORD, to do either good or bad of my own will. What the LORD speaks, that will I speak’? | 13If Balak would give me his palace full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of the LORD to do either good or evil of my own will, but whatever the LORD tells me I must speak'? |
| 14And now, behold, I am going to my people. Come, I will let you know what this people will do to your people in the latter days.” | 14And now, I am about to go back to my own people. Come now, and I will advise you as to what this people will do to your people in the future." |
| 15And he took up his discourse and said, “The oracle of Balaam the son of Beor, the oracle of the man whose eye is opened, | 15Then he uttered this oracle: "The oracle of Balaam son of Beor; the oracle of the man whose eyes are open; |
| 16the oracle of him who hears the words of God, and knows the knowledge of the Most High, who sees the vision of the Almighty, falling down with his eyes uncovered: | 16the oracle of the one who hears the words of God, and who knows the knowledge of the Most High, who sees a vision from the Almighty, although falling flat on the ground with eyes open: |
| 17I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near: a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel; it shall crush the forehead of Moab and break down all the sons of Sheth. | 17I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not close at hand. A star will march forth out of Jacob, and a scepter will rise out of Israel. He will crush the skulls of Moab, and the heads of all the sons of Sheth. |
| 18Edom shall be dispossessed; Seir also, his enemies, shall be dispossessed. Israel is doing valiantly. | 18Edom will be a possession, Seir, his enemies, will also be a possession; but Israel will act valiantly. |
| 19And one from Jacob shall exercise dominion and destroy the survivors of cities!” | 19A ruler will be established from Jacob; he will destroy the remains of the city.'" |
| 20Then he looked on Amalek and took up his discourse and said, “Amalek was the first among the nations, but its end is utter destruction.” | 20Then Balaam looked on Amalek and delivered this oracle: "Amalek was the first of the nations, but his end will be that he will perish." |
| 21And he looked on the Kenite, and took up his discourse and said, “Enduring is your dwelling place, and your nest is set in the rock. | 21Then he looked on the Kenites and uttered this oracle: "Your dwelling place seems strong, and your nest is set on a rocky cliff. |
| 22Nevertheless, Kain shall be burned when Asshur takes you away captive.” | 22Nevertheless the Kenite will be consumed. How long will Asshur take you away captive?" |
| 23And he took up his discourse and said, “Alas, who shall live when God does this? | 23Then he uttered this oracle: "O, who will survive when God does this! |
| 24But ships shall come from Kittim and shall afflict Asshur and Eber; and he too shall come to utter destruction.” | 24Ships will come from the coast of Kittim, and will afflict Asshur, and will afflict Eber, and he will also perish forever." |
| 25Then Balaam rose and went back to his place. And Balak also went his way. | 25Balaam got up and departed and returned to his home, and Balak also went his way. |
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