| Berean Study Bible | NET 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. | 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. |
| 2When Balaam looked up and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came upon him, | 2When Balaam lifted up his eyes, he saw Israel camped tribe by tribe; and the Spirit of God came upon 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, | 3Then he uttered this oracle: "The oracle of Balaam son of Beor; the oracle of the man whose eyes are open; |
| 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 the one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, although falling flat on the ground with eyes open: |
| 5How lovely are your tents, O Jacob, your dwellings, O Israel! | 5How beautiful are your tents, O Jacob, and your dwelling places, O Israel! |
| 6They spread out like palm groves, like gardens beside a stream, like aloes the LORD has planted, like cedars beside the waters. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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 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. |
| 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.” | 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!'" |
| 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 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! |
| 11Therefore, flee at once to your home! I said I would richly reward you, but instead the LORD has denied your reward.” | 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." |
| 12Balaam answered Balak, “Did I not already tell the messengers you sent me | 12Balaam said to Balak, "Did I not also tell your messengers whom you sent to 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 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'? |
| 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.” | 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." |
| 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 uttered this oracle: "The oracle of Balaam son of Beor; the oracle of the man whose eyes are 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 bows down with eyes wide open: | 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: |
| 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 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. |
| 18Edom will become a possession, as will Seir, his enemy; but Israel will perform with valor. | 18Edom will be a possession, Seir, his enemies, will also be a possession; but Israel will act valiantly. |
| 19A ruler will come from Jacob and destroy the survivors of the city.” | 19A ruler will be established from Jacob; he will destroy the remains of the city.'" |
| 20Then Balaam saw Amalek and lifted up an oracle, saying: “Amalek was first among the nations, but his end is destruction.” | 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." |
| 21Next he saw the Kenites and lifted up an oracle, saying: “Your dwelling place is secure, and your nest is set in a cliff. | 21Then he looked on the Kenites and uttered this oracle: "Your dwelling place seems strong, and your nest is set on a rocky cliff. |
| 22Yet Kain will be destroyed when Asshur takes you captive.” | 22Nevertheless the Kenite will be consumed. How long will Asshur take you away captive?" |
| 23Once more Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying: “Ah, who can live unless God has ordained it? | 23Then he uttered this oracle: "O, who will survive 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, and will afflict Asshur, and will afflict Eber, and he will also perish forever." |
| 25Then Balaam arose and returned to his homeland, and Balak also went on his way. | 25Balaam got up and departed and returned to his home, and Balak also went his way. |
|
