| New King James Version | International Standard Version |
| 1Now when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not go as at other times, to seek to use sorcery, 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 raised his eyes, and saw Israel encamped 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. |
| 3Then he took up his oracle and said: “The utterance of Balaam the son of Beor, The utterance of the man whose eyes are opened, | 3Balaam uttered this prophetic statement: "A declaration by Beor's son Balaam, a declaration by the strong, blind man. |
| 4The utterance of him who hears the words of God, Who sees the vision of the Almighty, Who falls down, with eyes wide 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. |
| 5“How lovely are your tents, O Jacob! Your dwellings, O Israel! | 5Jacob, your tents are so fine, as well as your dwelling places, O Israel! |
| 6Like valleys that stretch out, Like gardens by the riverside, Like aloes planted by the LORD, Like cedars 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 water 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 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. |
| 8“God brings him out of Egypt; He has strength like a wild ox; He shall consume the nations, his enemies; He shall break their bones And pierce them 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. |
| 9‘He bows down, he lies down as a lion; And as a lion, who shall rouse him?’ “Blessed is he who blesses you, And cursed is he 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’s anger was aroused against Balaam, and he struck his hands together; and Balak said to Balaam, “I called you to curse my enemies, and look, you have bountifully 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! |
| 11Now therefore, flee to your place. I said I would greatly honor you, but in fact, the LORD has kept you back from 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!" |
| 12So Balaam said to Balak, “Did I not also speak to your messengers whom you sent to me, saying, | 12But Balaam replied to Balak, "I told your messengers, |
| 13‘If Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the word of the LORD, to do good or bad of my own will. What the LORD says, that 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, indeed, I am going to my people. Come, I will advise you what this people will do to your 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." |
| 15So he took up his oracle and said: “The utterance of Balaam the son of Beor, And the utterance of the man whose eyes are opened; | 15Then Balaam uttered this prophetic statement: "The declaration by Beor's son Balaam, a declaration by the strong, blind man. |
| 16The utterance of him who hears the words of God, And has the knowledge of the Most High, Who sees the vision of the Almighty, Who falls down, with eyes wide 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. |
| 17“I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near; A Star shall come out of Jacob; A Scepter shall rise out of Israel, And batter the brow of Moab, And destroy all the sons of tumult. | 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. |
| 18“And Edom shall be a possession; Seir also, his enemies, shall be a possession, While Israel does valiantly. | 18Edom will be a conquered nation and Seir will be Israel's defeated foe, while Israel performs valiantly. |
| 19Out of Jacob One shall have dominion, And destroy the remains of the city.” | 19He will rule over Jacob, annihilating those who survive in the city." |
| 20Then he looked on Amalek, and he took up his oracle and said: “Amalek was first among the nations, But shall be last until he perishes.” | 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 he took up his oracle and said: “Firm is your dwelling place, And your nest is set in the rock; | 21Balaam also uttered this prophetic statement about the Kenites: "Your dwelling places are stable, because your nest is carved in solid rock. |
| 22Nevertheless Kain shall be burned. How long until Asshur carries you away captive?” | 22Nevertheless, Kain will be incinerated. How long will it take until Asshur takes you hostage?" |
| 23Then he took up his oracle and said: “Alas! Who shall live when God does this? | 23Finally, he uttered this prophetic statement: "Ah, who can live, unless God makes it happen? |
| 24But ships shall come from the coasts of Cyprus, And they shall afflict Asshur and afflict Eber, And so shall Amalek, until he perishes.” | 24Ships under control of Kittim will devastate Asshur and Eber, until they are permanently destroyed." |
| 25So Balaam rose and departed and returned to his place; Balak also went his way. | 25Then Balaam got up, returned to his country, and Balak went on his way. |
| The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved. | The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. |
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