Numbers 24
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1By now Balaam realized that the LORD was determined to bless Israel, so he did not resort to divination as before. Instead, he turned and looked out 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.
2where he saw the people of Israel camped, tribe by tribe. Then 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 this is the message he delivered: “This is the message of Balaam son of Beor, the message of the man whose eyes see clearly,3and he proclaimed his poem: The oracle of Balaam son of Beor, the oracle of the man whose eyes are opened,
4the message 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 beautiful are your tents, O Jacob; how lovely are your homes, O Israel!5How beautiful are your tents, Jacob, your dwellings, Israel.
6They spread before me like palm groves, like gardens by the riverside. They are like tall trees planted by the LORD, 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 their buckets; their offspring have all they need. Their king will be greater than Agag; their 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 them out of Egypt; for them he is as strong as a wild ox. He devours all the nations that oppose him, breaking their bones in pieces, shooting 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.
9Like a lion, Israel crouches and lies down; like a lioness, who dares to arouse her? Blessed is everyone who blesses you, O Israel, and cursed is everyone who curses 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.
10King Balak flew into a rage against Balaam. He angrily clapped his hands and shouted, “I called you to curse my enemies! Instead, you have blessed them 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.
11Now get out of here! Go back home! I promised to reward you richly, but the LORD has kept you from your reward.”11Now go to your home! I said I would reward you richly, but look, the LORD has denied you a reward."
12Balaam told Balak, “Don’t you remember what I told your messengers? I said,12Balaam answered Balak, "Didn't I previously tell the messengers you sent me:
13‘Even if Balak were to give me his palace filled with silver and gold, I would be powerless to do anything against the will of the LORD.’ I told you that I could say only what 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 returning to my own people. But first let me tell you what the Israelites will do to your people in the future.” Balaam’s Final Messages14Now I am going back to my people, but first, let me warn you what these people will do to your people in the future."
15This is the message Balaam delivered: “This is the message of Balaam son of Beor, the message of the man whose eyes see clearly,15Then he proclaimed his poem: The oracle of Balaam son of Beor, the oracle of the man whose eyes are opened;
16the message 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 here and now. I perceive him, but far in the distant future. A star will rise from Jacob; a scepter will emerge from Israel. It will crush the heads of Moab’s people, cracking the skulls of the people 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 be taken over, and Seir, its enemy, will be conquered, while Israel marches on in triumph.18Edom will become a possession; Seir will become a possession of its enemies, but Israel will be triumphant.
19A ruler will rise in Jacob who will destroy the survivors of Ir.”19One who comes from Jacob will rule; he will destroy the city's survivors.
20Then Balaam looked over toward the people of Amalek and delivered this message: “Amalek was the greatest of nations, but its destiny is destruction!”20Then Balaam saw Amalek and proclaimed his poem: Amalek was first among the nations, but his future is destruction.
21Then he looked over toward the Kenites and delivered this message: “Your home is secure; your nest is set in the rocks.21Next he saw the Kenites and proclaimed his poem: Your dwelling place is enduring; your nest is set in the cliffs.
22But the Kenites will be destroyed when Assyria takes you captive.”22Kain will be destroyed when Asshur takes you captive.
23Balaam concluded his messages by saying: “Alas, who can survive unless God has willed 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 oppress Assyria and afflict Eber, but they, too, will be utterly destroyed.”24Ships will come from the coast of Kittim; they will carry out raids against Asshur and Eber, but they too will come to destruction.
25Then Balaam left and returned home, and Balak also went on his way.25Balaam then arose and went back to his homeland, and Balak also went his way.
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.
Numbers 23
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