| Berean Study Bible | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 1And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not resort to sorcery as on previous occasions, but he turned his face toward the wilderness. | 1Since Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not go to seek omens as on previous occasions, but turned toward the wilderness. |
| 2When Balaam looked up and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came upon him, | 2When Balaam looked up and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came on him, |
| 3and he lifted up an oracle, saying: “This is the prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of a man whose eyes are open, | 3and he proclaimed his poem: The oracle of Balaam son of Beor, the oracle of the man whose eyes are opened, |
| 4the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who bows down with eyes wide open: | 4the oracle of one who hears the sayings of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who falls into a trance with his eyes uncovered: |
| 5How lovely are your tents, O Jacob, your dwellings, O Israel! | 5How beautiful are your tents, Jacob, your dwellings, Israel. |
| 6They spread out like palm groves, like gardens beside a stream, like aloes the LORD has planted, like cedars beside the waters. | 6They stretch out like river valleys, like gardens beside a stream, like aloes the LORD has planted, like cedars beside the water. |
| 7Water will flow from his buckets, and his seed will have abundant water. His king will be greater than Agag, and his kingdom will be exalted. | 7Water will flow from his buckets, and his seed will be by abundant water. His king will be greater than Agag, and his kingdom will be exalted. |
| 8God brought him out of Egypt with strength like a wild ox, to devour hostile nations and crush their bones, to pierce them with arrows. | 8God brought him out of Egypt; He is like the horns of a wild ox for them. He will feed on enemy nations and gnaw their bones; he will strike them with his arrows. |
| 9He crouches, he lies down like a lion; like a lioness, who dares to rouse him? Blessed are those who bless you and cursed are those who curse you.” | 9He crouches, he lies down like a lion or a lioness--who dares to rouse him? Those who bless you will be blessed, and those who curse you will be cursed. |
| 10Then Balak’s anger burned against Balaam, and he struck his hands together and said to Balaam, “I summoned you to curse my enemies, but behold, you have persisted in blessing them these three times. | 10Then Balak became furious with Balaam, struck his hands together, and said to him, "I summoned you to put a curse on my enemies, but instead, you have blessed them these three times. |
| 11Therefore, flee at once to your home! I said I would richly reward you, but instead the LORD has denied your reward.” | 11Now go to your home! I said I would reward you richly, but look, the LORD has denied you a reward." |
| 12Balaam answered Balak, “Did I not already tell the messengers you sent me | 12Balaam answered Balak, "Didn't I previously tell the messengers you sent me: |
| 13that even if Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything of my own accord, good or bad, to go beyond the command of the LORD? I will speak whatever the LORD says. | 13If Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go against the LORD's command, to do anything good or bad of my own will? I will say whatever the LORD says. |
| 14Now I am going back to my people, but come, let me warn you what this people will do to your people in the days to come.” | 14Now I am going back to my people, but first, let me warn you what these people will do to your people in the future." |
| 15Then Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying, “This is the prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of a man whose eyes are open, | 15Then he proclaimed his poem: The oracle of Balaam son of Beor, the oracle of the man whose eyes are opened; |
| 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 bows down with eyes wide open: | 16the oracle of one who hears the sayings of God and has knowledge from the Most High, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who falls into a trance with his eyes uncovered: |
| 17I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come forth from Jacob, and a scepter will arise from Israel. He will crush the skulls of Moab and strike down all the sons of Sheth. | 17I see him, but not now; I perceive him, but not near. A star will come from Jacob, and a scepter will arise from Israel. He will smash the forehead of Moab and strike down all the Shethites. |
| 18Edom will become a possession, as will Seir, his enemy; but Israel will perform with valor. | 18Edom will become a possession; Seir will become a possession of its enemies, but Israel will be triumphant. |
| 19A ruler will come from Jacob and destroy the survivors of the city.” | 19One who comes from Jacob will rule; he will destroy the city's survivors. |
| 20Then Balaam saw Amalek and lifted up an oracle, saying: “Amalek was first among the nations, but his end is destruction.” | 20Then Balaam saw Amalek and proclaimed his poem: Amalek was first among the nations, but his future is destruction. |
| 21Next he saw the Kenites and lifted up an oracle, saying: “Your dwelling place is secure, and your nest is set in a cliff. | 21Next he saw the Kenites and proclaimed his poem: Your dwelling place is enduring; your nest is set in the cliffs. |
| 22Yet Kain will be destroyed when Asshur takes you captive.” | 22Kain will be destroyed when Asshur takes you captive. |
| 23Once more Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying: “Ah, who can live unless God has ordained it? | 23Once more he proclaimed his poem: Ah, who can live when God does this? |
| 24Ships will come from the coasts of Cyprus; they will subdue Asshur and Eber, but they too will perish forever.” | 24Ships will come from the coast of Kittim; they will afflict Asshur and Eber, but they too will come to destruction. |
| 25Then Balaam arose and returned to his homeland, and Balak also went on his way. | 25Balaam then arose and went back to his homeland, and Balak also went his way. |
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