| Holman Christian Standard Bible | Christian Standard Bible |
| 1Since Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not go to seek omens as on previous occasions, but turned toward the wilderness. | 1Since Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not go to seek omens as on previous occasions, but turned toward the wilderness. |
| 2When Balaam looked up and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came on him, | 2When Balaam looked up and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came on him, |
| 3and he proclaimed his poem: The oracle of Balaam son of Beor, the oracle of the man whose eyes are opened, | 3and he proclaimed his poem: The oracle of Balaam son of Beor, the oracle of the man whose eyes are opened, |
| 4the oracle of one who hears the sayings of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who falls into a trance with his eyes uncovered: | 4the oracle of one who hears the sayings of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who falls into a trance with his eyes uncovered: |
| 5How beautiful are your tents, Jacob, your dwellings, Israel. | 5How beautiful are your tents, Jacob, your dwellings, Israel. |
| 6They stretch out like river valleys, like gardens beside a stream, like aloes the LORD has planted, like cedars beside the water. | 6They stretch out like river valleys, like gardens beside a stream, like aloes the LORD has planted, like cedars beside the water. |
| 7Water will flow from his buckets, and his seed will be by abundant water. His king will be greater than Agag, and his kingdom will be exalted. | 7Water will flow from his buckets, and his seed will be by abundant water. His king will be greater than Agag, and his kingdom will be exalted. |
| 8God brought him out of Egypt; He is like the horns of a wild ox for them. He will feed on enemy nations and gnaw their bones; he will strike them with his arrows. | 8God brought him out of Egypt; he is like the horns of a wild ox for them. He will feed on enemy nations and gnaw their bones; he will strike them with his arrows. |
| 9He crouches, he lies down like a lion or a lioness--who dares to rouse him? Those who bless you will be blessed, and those who curse you will be cursed. | 9He crouches, he lies down like a lion or a lioness--who dares to rouse him? Those who bless you will be blessed, and those who curse you will be cursed. |
| 10Then Balak became furious with Balaam, struck his hands together, and said to him, "I summoned you to put a curse on my enemies, but instead, you have blessed them these three times. | 10Then Balak became furious with Balaam, struck his hands together, and said to him, "I summoned you to put a curse on my enemies, but instead, you have blessed them these three times. |
| 11Now go to your home! I said I would reward you richly, but look, the LORD has denied you a reward." | 11Now go to your home! I said I would reward you richly, but look, the LORD has denied you a reward." |
| 12Balaam answered Balak, "Didn't I previously tell the messengers you sent me: | 12Balaam answered Balak, "Didn't I previously tell the messengers you sent me: |
| 13If Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go against the LORD's command, to do anything good or bad of my own will? I will say whatever the LORD says. | 13If Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go against the LORD's command, to do anything good or bad of my own will? I will say whatever the LORD says. |
| 14Now I am going back to my people, but first, let me warn you what these people will do to your people in the future." | 14Now I am going back to my people, but first, let me warn you what these people will do to your people in the future." |
| 15Then he proclaimed his poem: The oracle of Balaam son of Beor, the oracle of the man whose eyes are opened; | 15Then he proclaimed his poem: The oracle of Balaam son of Beor, the oracle of the man whose eyes are opened; |
| 16the oracle of one who hears the sayings of God and has knowledge from the Most High, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who falls into a trance with his eyes uncovered: | 16the oracle of one who hears the sayings of God and has knowledge from the Most High, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who falls into a trance with his eyes uncovered: |
| 17I see him, but not now; I perceive him, but not near. A star will come from Jacob, and a scepter will arise from Israel. He will smash the forehead of Moab and strike down all the Shethites. | 17I see him, but not now; I perceive him, but not near. A star will come from Jacob, and a scepter will arise from Israel. He will smash the forehead of Moab and strike down all the Shethites. |
| 18Edom will become a possession; Seir will become a possession of its enemies, but Israel will be triumphant. | 18Edom will become a possession; Seir will become a possession of its enemies, but Israel will be triumphant. |
| 19One who comes from Jacob will rule; he will destroy the city's survivors. | 19One who comes from Jacob will rule; he will destroy the city's survivors. |
| 20Then Balaam saw Amalek and proclaimed his poem: Amalek was first among the nations, but his future is destruction. | 20Then Balaam saw Amalek and proclaimed his poem: Amalek was first among the nations, but his future is destruction. |
| 21Next he saw the Kenites and proclaimed his poem: Your dwelling place is enduring; your nest is set in the cliffs. | 21Next he saw the Kenites and proclaimed his poem: Your dwelling place is enduring; your nest is set in the cliffs. |
| 22Kain will be destroyed when Asshur takes you captive. | 22Kain will be destroyed when Asshur takes you captive. |
| 23Once more he proclaimed his poem: Ah, who can live when God does this? | 23Once more he proclaimed his poem: Ah, who can live when God does this? |
| 24Ships will come from the coast of Kittim; they will afflict Asshur and Eber, but they too will come to destruction. | 24Ships will come from the coast of Kittim; they will carry out raids against Asshur and Eber, but they too will come to destruction. |
| 25Balaam then arose and went back to his homeland, and Balak also went his way. | 25Balaam then arose and went back to his homeland, and Balak also went his way. |
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