Spirit of God Comes Upon Balaam

1And Balaam saw that it was good in the eyes of Yahweh to bless Israel, so he did not go as at other times to [†]encounter omens, but he set his face toward the wilderness. 2And Balaam lifted up his eyes and saw Israel dwelling tribe by tribe; and the Spirit of God came upon him. 3Then he took up his [†]discourse and said,

“The oracle of Balaam the son of Beor,

And the oracle of the man whose eye is uncovered;

4The oracle of him who hears the [†]words of God,

Who beholds the vision of [†]the Almighty,

Falling down, yet having his eyes opened,

5How fair are your tents, O Jacob,

Your dwellings, O Israel!

6Like [†]valleys that stretch out,

Like gardens beside the river,

Like aloes planted by Yahweh,

Like cedars beside the waters.

7Water will flow from his buckets,

And his seed will be by many waters,

And his king shall be lifted up higher than Agag,

And his kingdom shall be exalted.

8God brings him out of Egypt,

He is for him like the horns of the wild ox.

He will devour the nations who are his adversaries,

And will gnaw their bones in pieces,

And [†]shatter them with his arrows.

9He [†]crouches, he lies down as a lion,

And as a [†]lion, who [†]dares rouse him?

Blessed is everyone who blesses you,

And cursed is everyone who curses you.”

10Then Balak’s anger burned against Balaam, and he struck his [†]hands together; and Balak said to Balaam, “I called you to curse my enemies, but behold, you have blessed them repeatedly these three times! 11So now, [†]flee to your place. I said I would honor you greatly, but behold, Yahweh has held you back from honor.” 12And Balaam said to Balak, “Did I not tell your messengers whom you had sent to me, saying, 13‘Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything to trespass the [†]command of Yahweh, either good or bad, of my own [†]accord. What Yahweh speaks, that I will speak’? 14So now, behold, I am going to my people; come, and I will advise you what this people will do to your people in the last days.”

Oracle of Balaam

15Then he took up his discourse and said,

“The oracle of Balaam the son of Beor,

And the oracle of the man whose eye is uncovered,

16The oracle of him who hears the [†]words of God,

And knows the knowledge of the [†]Most High,

Who beholds the vision of the [†]Almighty,

Falling down, yet having his eyes opened.

17I see him, but not now;

I behold him, but not near;

A star shall come forth from Jacob,

A scepter shall rise from Israel,

And shall crush through the [†]forehead of Moab,

And [†]tear down all the sons of [†]Sheth.

18And Edom shall be a possession,

Seir, its enemies, also will be a possession,

While Israel performs valiantly.

19And one from Jacob shall have dominion,

And will make the survivor perish from the city.”

20Then he looked at Amalek and took up his discourse and said,

“Amalek was the first of the nations,

But his end shall be [†]destruction.”

21Then he looked at the Kenite and took up his discourse and said,

“Your habitation is enduring,

And your nest is set in the cliff.

22Nevertheless Kain will be consumed;

How long will Asshur [†]keep you captive?”

23Then he took up his discourse and said,

“Woe, who can live except when God has ordained it?

24But ships shall come from the coast of Kittim,

And they shall afflict Asshur and will afflict Eber;

So they also will come to destruction.”

25Then Balaam arose and went and returned to his place, and Balak also went his way.