Numbers 24
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Holman Christian Standard BibleNew International Version
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. 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.
2When Balaam looked up and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came on him, 2When Balaam looked out and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came on him
3and he proclaimed his poem: The oracle of Balaam son of Beor, the oracle 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 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: 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:
5How beautiful are your tents, Jacob, your dwellings, Israel. 5"How beautiful are your tents, Jacob, your dwelling places, Israel!
6They stretch out like river valleys, like gardens beside a stream, like aloes the LORD has planted, like cedars beside the water. 6"Like valleys they spread out, like gardens beside a river, like aloes planted by the LORD, like cedars beside the waters.
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. 7Water will flow from their buckets; their seed will have abundant water. "Their king will be greater than Agag; their kingdom will be exalted.
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. 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.
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. 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 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. 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 go to your home! I said I would reward you richly, but look, the LORD has denied you a reward." 11Now leave at once and go home! I said I would reward you handsomely, but the LORD has kept you from being rewarded."
12Balaam answered Balak, "Didn't I previously tell the messengers you sent me: 12Balaam answered Balak, "Did I not tell the messengers you sent me,
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.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'?
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." 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."
15Then he proclaimed his poem: The oracle of Balaam son of Beor, the oracle 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 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: 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:
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. 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.
18Edom will become a possession; Seir will become a possession of its enemies, but Israel will be triumphant. 18Edom will be conquered; Seir, his enemy, will be conquered, but Israel will grow strong.
19One who comes from Jacob will rule; he will destroy the city's survivors. 19A ruler will come out of Jacob and destroy the survivors of the city."
20Then Balaam saw Amalek and proclaimed his poem: Amalek was first among the nations, but his future is destruction. 20Then Balaam saw Amalek and spoke his message: "Amalek was first among the nations, but their end will be utter destruction."
21Next he saw the Kenites and proclaimed his poem: Your dwelling place is enduring; your nest is set in the cliffs. 21Then he saw the Kenites and spoke his message: "Your dwelling place is secure, your nest is set in a rock;
22Kain will be destroyed when Asshur takes you captive. 22yet you Kenites will be destroyed when Ashur takes you captive."
23Once more he proclaimed his poem: Ah, who can live when God does this? 23Then he spoke his message: "Alas! Who can live when God does this?
24Ships will come from the coast of Kittim; they will afflict Asshur and Eber, but they too will come to destruction. 24Ships will come from the shores of Cyprus; they will subdue Ashur and Eber, but they too will come to ruin."
25Balaam then arose and went back to his homeland, and Balak also went his way. 25Then Balaam got up and returned home, and Balak went his own way.
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Numbers 23
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