| NET Bible | International Standard Version |
| 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. | 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, |
| 2When Balaam lifted up his eyes, he saw Israel camped tribe by tribe; 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. |
| 3Then he uttered this oracle: "The oracle of Balaam son of Beor; the oracle of the man whose eyes are open; | 3Balaam uttered this prophetic statement: "A declaration by Beor's son Balaam, a declaration by the strong, blind man. |
| 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: | 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 beautiful are your tents, O Jacob, and your dwelling places, O Israel! | 5Jacob, your tents are so fine, as well as your dwelling places, O Israel! |
| 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. | 6They're spread out like valleys, like gardens along river banks, like aloe planted by the LORD, or like cedars beside water. |
| 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. | 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 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. | 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. |
| 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!'" | 9He crouches, laying low like a lion. Who would awaken him? Those who bless you are blessed, and those who curse you are cursed." |
| 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! | 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! |
| 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." | 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!" |
| 12Balaam said to Balak, "Did I not also tell your messengers whom you sent to me, | 12But Balaam replied to Balak, "I told your messengers, |
| 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'? | 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, 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." | 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." |
| 15Then he uttered this oracle: "The oracle of Balaam son of Beor; the oracle of the man whose eyes are open; | 15Then Balaam uttered this prophetic statement: "The declaration by Beor's son Balaam, a declaration by the strong, blind man. |
| 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: | 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 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. | 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. |
| 18Edom will be a possession, Seir, his enemies, will also be a possession; but Israel will act valiantly. | 18Edom will be a conquered nation and Seir will be Israel's defeated foe, while Israel performs valiantly. |
| 19A ruler will be established from Jacob; he will destroy the remains of the city.'" | 19He will rule over Jacob, annihilating those who survive in the city." |
| 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." | 20Next, Balaam looked directly at Amalek and then uttered this prophetic statement: "Even though Amalek is an international leader, his future is permanent destruction." |
| 21Then he looked on the Kenites and uttered this oracle: "Your dwelling place seems strong, and your nest is set on a rocky cliff. | 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 will be consumed. How long will Asshur take you away captive?" | 22Nevertheless, Kain will be incinerated. How long will it take until Asshur takes you hostage?" |
| 23Then he uttered this oracle: "O, who will survive when God does this! | 23Finally, he uttered this prophetic statement: "Ah, who can live, unless God makes it happen? |
| 24Ships will come from the coast of Kittim, and will afflict Asshur, and will afflict Eber, and he will also perish forever." | 24Ships under control of Kittim will devastate Asshur and Eber, until they are permanently destroyed." |
| 25Balaam got up and departed and returned to his home, and Balak also went his way. | 25Then Balaam got up, returned to his country, and Balak went on his way. |
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