| King James Bible | International Standard Version |
| 1And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he went not, as at other times, to seek for enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness. | 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, |
| 2And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel abiding in his tents according to their tribes; and the spirit of God came upon him. | 2looked up, and saw Israel encamped in their respective tribal order. Just then, the spirit of God came upon him. |
| 3And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said: | 3Balaam uttered this prophetic statement: "A declaration by Beor's son Balaam, a declaration by the strong, blind man. |
| 4He hath said, which heard the words of God, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open: | 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. |
| 5How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, O Israel! | 5Jacob, your tents are so fine, as well as your dwelling places, O Israel! |
| 6As the valleys are they spread forth, as gardens by the river's side, as the trees of lign aloes which the LORD hath planted, and as cedar trees beside the waters. | 6They're spread out like valleys, like gardens along river banks, like aloe planted by the LORD, or like cedars beside water. |
| 7He shall pour the water out of his buckets, and his seed shall be in many waters, and his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted. | 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. |
| 8God brought him forth out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn: he shall eat up the nations his enemies, and shall break their bones, and pierce them through with his arrows. | 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. |
| 9He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a great lion: who shall stir him up? Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee. | 9He crouches, laying low like a lion. Who would awaken him? Those who bless you are blessed, and those who curse you are cursed." |
| 10And Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam, and he smote his hands together: and Balak said unto Balaam, I called thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast altogether blessed them these three times. | 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! |
| 11Therefore now flee thou to thy place: I thought to promote thee unto great honour; but, lo, the LORD hath kept thee back from honour. | 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!" |
| 12And Balaam said unto Balak, Spake I not also to thy messengers which thou sentest unto me, saying, | 12But Balaam replied to Balak, "I told your messengers, |
| 13If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of the LORD, to do either good or bad of mine own mind; but what the LORD saith, that will I speak? | 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.' |
| 14And now, behold, I go unto my people: come therefore, and I will advertise thee what this people shall do to thy people in the latter days. | 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." |
| 15And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said: | 15Then Balaam uttered this prophetic statement: "The declaration by Beor's son Balaam, a declaration by the strong, blind man. |
| 16He hath said, which heard the words of God, and knew the knowledge of the most High, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open: | 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. |
| 17I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth. | 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. |
| 18And Edom shall be a possession, Seir also shall be a possession for his enemies; and Israel shall do valiantly. | 18Edom will be a conquered nation and Seir will be Israel's defeated foe, while Israel performs valiantly. |
| 19Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion, and shall destroy him that remaineth of the city. | 19He will rule over Jacob, annihilating those who survive in the city." |
| 20And when he looked on Amalek, he took up his parable, and said, Amalek was the first of the nations; but his latter end shall be that he perish for ever. | 20Next, Balaam looked directly at Amalek and then uttered this prophetic statement: "Even though Amalek is an international leader, his future is permanent destruction." |
| 21And he looked on the Kenites, and took up his parable, and said, Strong is thy dwellingplace, and thou puttest thy nest in a rock. | 21Balaam also uttered this prophetic statement about the Kenites: "Your dwelling places are stable, because your nest is carved in solid rock. |
| 22Nevertheless the Kenite shall be wasted, until Asshur shall carry thee away captive. | 22Nevertheless, Kain will be incinerated. How long will it take until Asshur takes you hostage?" |
| 23And he took up his parable, and said, Alas, who shall live when God doeth this! | 23Finally, he uttered this prophetic statement: "Ah, who can live, unless God makes it happen? |
| 24And ships shall come from the coast of Chittim, and shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber, and he also shall perish for ever. | 24Ships under control of Kittim will devastate Asshur and Eber, until they are permanently destroyed." |
| 25And Balaam rose up, and went and returned to his place: and Balak also went his way. | 25Then Balaam got up, returned to his country, and Balak went on his way. |
| King James Bible, text courtesy of BibleProtector.com. | The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. |
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