| New King James Version | NET Bible |
| 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 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. |
| 2And Balaam raised his eyes, and saw Israel encamped according to their tribes; and 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. |
| 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, | 3Then he uttered this oracle: "The oracle of Balaam son of Beor; the oracle of the man whose eyes are open; |
| 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 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: |
| 5“How lovely are your tents, O Jacob! Your dwellings, O Israel! | 5How beautiful are your tents, O Jacob, and 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 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. |
| 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 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. |
| 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 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. |
| 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.” | 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 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 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! |
| 11Now therefore, flee to your place. I said I would greatly honor you, but in fact, the LORD has kept you back from honor.” | 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." |
| 12So Balaam said to Balak, “Did I not also speak to your messengers whom you sent to me, saying, | 12Balaam said to Balak, "Did I not also tell your messengers whom you sent to 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’? | 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'? |
| 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.” | 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." |
| 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 uttered this oracle: "The oracle of Balaam son of Beor; the oracle of the man whose eyes are open; |
| 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 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: |
| 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 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. |
| 18“And Edom shall be a possession; Seir also, his enemies, shall be a possession, While Israel does valiantly. | 18Edom will be a possession, Seir, his enemies, will also be a possession; but Israel will act valiantly. |
| 19Out of Jacob One shall have dominion, And destroy the remains of the city.” | 19A ruler will be established from Jacob; he will destroy the remains 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 looked on Amalek and delivered this oracle: "Amalek was the first of the nations, but his end will be that he will perish." |
| 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 looked on the Kenites and uttered this oracle: "Your dwelling place seems strong, and your nest is set on a rocky cliff. |
| 22Nevertheless Kain shall be burned. How long until Asshur carries you away captive?” | 22Nevertheless the Kenite will be consumed. How long will Asshur take you away captive?" |
| 23Then he took up his oracle and said: “Alas! Who shall live when God does this? | 23Then he uttered this oracle: "O, who will survive 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 coast of Kittim, and will afflict Asshur, and will afflict Eber, and he will also perish forever." |
| 25So Balaam rose and departed and returned to his place; Balak also went his way. | 25Balaam got up and departed and returned to his home, and Balak also went his way. |
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