1When Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not go, as at the other times, to meet with omens, but he set his face toward the wilderness. 2Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel dwelling according to their tribes; and the Spirit of God came on him.

3He took up his parable, and said, "Balaam the son of Beor says, the man whose eye was closed says;

4he says, who hears the words of God, who sees the vision of Shaddai, falling down, and having his eyes open:

5How goodly are your tents, Jacob, and your tents, Israel.

6As valleys they are spread forth, as gardens by the riverside, as aloes which the LORD has planted, as cedar trees beside the waters.

7Water shall flow from his buckets. His seed shall be in many waters. His king shall be higher than Agag. His kingdom shall be exalted.

8God brings him out of Egypt. He has as it were the strength of the wild ox. He shall eat up the nations his adversaries, shall break their bones in pieces, and pierce them with his arrows.

9He couched, he lay down as a lion, as a lioness; who shall rouse him up? Everyone who blesses you is blessed. Everyone who curses you is cursed."

10Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam, and he struck his hands together; and Balak said to Balaam, "I called you to curse my enemies, and, look, you have altogether blessed them these three times. 11Therefore now flee you to your place. I thought to promote you to great honor; but, look, the LORD has kept you back from honor." 12Balaam said to Balak, "Did I not also tell your messengers who you sent to me, saying, 13If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I can't go beyond the word of the LORD, to do either good or bad in my heart. I will say what God says'? 14Now, look, I go to my people: come, I will inform you what this people shall do to your people in the latter days."

15He took up his parable, and said, "Balaam the son of Beor says, the man whose eye was closed says;

16he says, who hears the words of God, knows the knowledge of the Most High, and who sees the vision of Shaddai, falling down, and having his eyes open:

17I see him, but not now. I see him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob. A scepter will rise out of Israel, and will crush the forehead of Moab, and the crown of all the sons of tumult.

18Edom shall be a possession. Seir, his enemies, also shall be a possession, while Israel does valiantly.

19Out of Jacob shall one have dominion, and shall destroy the remnant from the city."

20He looked at Amalek, and took up his parable, and said, "Amalek was the first of the nations, But his latter end shall come to destruction."

21He looked at the Kenite, and took up his parable, and said, "Your dwelling place is strong. Your nest is set in the rock.

22Nevertheless Kain shall be wasted, until Asshur carries you away captive."

23He took up his parable, and said, "Alas, who shall live when God does this?

24But ships shall come from the coast of Kittim. They shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber. He also shall come to destruction."

25Balaam rose up, and went and returned to his place; and Balak also went his way.