Numbers 24 ISV NIV Parallel

◄ Numbers 24 ►

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1When Balaam noticed that the LORD was pleased that Balaam was blessing Israel, he didn't behave as he had time after time before, that is, to practice divination. Instead, he turned with his face to 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.

2looked up, and saw Israel encamped in their respective tribal order. Just then, 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

3Balaam uttered this prophetic statement: "A declaration by Beor's son Balaam, a declaration by the strong, blind man.

3and he spoke his message: "The prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of one whose eye sees clearly,

4A declaration from one who hears what God has to say, who saw the vision that the Almighty revealed, who keeps stumbling with open eyes.

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:

5Jacob, your tents are so fine, as well as your dwelling places, O Israel!

5"How beautiful are your tents, Jacob, your dwelling places, Israel!

6They're spread out like valleys, like gardens along river banks, like aloe planted by the LORD, or like cedars beside water.

6"Like valleys they spread out, like gardens beside a river, like aloes planted by the LORD, like cedars beside the waters.

7He will pour water from his buckets, and his descendants will stream forth like abundant water. His king will be more exalted than Agag when he exalts his own kingdom.

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 is bringing them out of Egypt with the strength of an ox. He'll devour enemy nations, break their bones, and impale 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, laying low like a lion. Who would awaken him? Those who bless you are blessed, and those who curse you are cursed."

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!"

10Balak flew into a rage and he started hitting his fists together. "I called you to curse my enemies," he yelled at Balaam. "But look here! You've blessed them 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.

11Now get out of here! I had promised you that I would definitely honor you, but now the LORD has kept me from doing that!"

11Now leave at once and go home! I said I would reward you handsomely, but the LORD has kept you from being rewarded."

12But Balaam replied to Balak, "I told your messengers,

12Balaam answered Balak, "Did I not tell the messengers you sent me,

13Even if Balak gives me his palace full of silver and gold, I won't double-cross the command of the LORD and do anything—whether good or evil—on my own initiative, because I'm going to say 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'?

14Meanwhile, since I have to return to my people, come and listen while I tell you what this people will be doing to your people in the last days."

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 uttered this prophetic statement: "The declaration by Beor's son Balaam, a declaration by the strong, blind man.

15Then he spoke his message: "The prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of one whose eye sees clearly,

16A declaration from one who hears what God has to say, who knows what the Most High knows, who saw the vision that the Almighty revealed, who keeps stumbling with open eyes.

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 can see him, but not right now. I observe him, but from a distance. A star streams forth from Jacob; a scepter arises from Israel. He will crush Moab's forehead, along with all of Seth's descendants.

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 be a conquered nation and Seir will be Israel's defeated foe, while Israel performs valiantly.

18Edom will be conquered; Seir, his enemy, will be conquered, but Israel will grow strong.

19He will rule over Jacob, annihilating those who survive in the city."

19A ruler will come out of Jacob and destroy the survivors of the city."

20Next, Balaam looked directly at Amalek and then uttered this prophetic statement: "Even though Amalek is an international leader, his future is permanent destruction."

20Then Balaam saw Amalek and spoke his message: "Amalek was first among the nations, but their end will be utter destruction."

21Balaam also uttered this prophetic statement about the Kenites: "Your dwelling places are stable, because your nest is carved in solid rock.

21Then he saw the Kenites and spoke his message: "Your dwelling place is secure, your nest is set in a rock;

22Nevertheless, Kain will be incinerated. How long will it take until Asshur takes you hostage?"

22yet you Kenites will be destroyed when Ashur takes you captive."

23Finally, he uttered this prophetic statement: "Ah, who can live, unless God makes it happen?

23Then he spoke his message: "Alas! Who can live when God does this?

24Ships under control of Kittim will devastate Asshur and Eber, until they are permanently destroyed."

24Ships will come from the shores of Cyprus; they will subdue Ashur and Eber, but they too will come to ruin."

25Then Balaam got up, returned to his country, and Balak went on his way.

25Then Balaam got up and returned home, and Balak went his own way.

New International Version (NIV)

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