Numbers 24
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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.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.
2And Balaam raised his eyes, and saw Israel encamped according to their tribes; and 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
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,3and he spoke his message: "The prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of one whose eye sees clearly,
4The utterance of him who hears the words of God, Who sees the vision of the Almighty, Who falls down, with eyes wide open: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:
5“How lovely are your tents, O Jacob! Your dwellings, O Israel!5"How beautiful are your tents, Jacob, your dwelling places, Israel!
6Like valleys that stretch out, Like gardens by the riverside, Like aloes planted by the LORD, Like cedars beside the waters.6"Like valleys they spread out, like gardens beside a river, like aloes planted by the LORD, like cedars beside the waters.
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.7Water will flow from their buckets; their seed will have abundant water. "Their king will be greater than Agag; their kingdom will be exalted.
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.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.
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.”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!"
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!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 therefore, flee to your place. I said I would greatly honor you, but in fact, the LORD has kept you back from honor.”11Now leave at once and go home! I said I would reward you handsomely, but the LORD has kept you from being rewarded."
12So Balaam said to Balak, “Did I not also speak to your messengers whom you sent to me, saying,12Balaam answered Balak, "Did I not tell the messengers you sent me,
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 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'?
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.”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."
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 he spoke his message: "The prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of one whose eye sees clearly,
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: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:
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.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.
18“And Edom shall be a possession; Seir also, his enemies, shall be a possession, While Israel does valiantly.18Edom will be conquered; Seir, his enemy, will be conquered, but Israel will grow strong.
19Out of Jacob One shall have dominion, And destroy the remains of the city.”19A ruler will come out of Jacob and destroy the survivors of 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.”20Then Balaam saw Amalek and spoke his message: "Amalek was first among the nations, but their end will be utter 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;21Then he saw the Kenites and spoke his message: "Your dwelling place is secure, your nest is set in a rock;
22Nevertheless Kain shall be burned. How long until Asshur carries you away captive?”22yet you Kenites will be destroyed when Ashur takes you captive."
23Then he took up his oracle and said: “Alas! Who shall live when God does this?23Then he spoke his message: "Alas! Who can live when God does this?
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 will come from the shores of Cyprus; they will subdue Ashur and Eber, but they too will come to ruin."
25So Balaam rose and departed and returned to his place; Balak also went his way.25Then Balaam got up and returned home, and Balak went his own way.
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.New International Version (NIV)

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Numbers 23
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