| Christian Standard Bible | New Living Translation |
| 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. | 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, |
| 2When Balaam looked up and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came on him, | 2where he saw the people of Israel camped, tribe by tribe. Then the Spirit of God came upon him, |
| 3and he proclaimed his poem: The oracle of Balaam son of Beor, the oracle of the man whose eyes are opened, | 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, |
| 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 message of one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who bows down with eyes wide open: |
| 5How beautiful are your tents, Jacob, your dwellings, Israel. | 5How beautiful are your tents, O Jacob; how lovely are your homes, O Israel! |
| 6They stretch out like river valleys, like gardens beside a stream, like aloes the LORD has planted, like cedars beside the water. | 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. |
| 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 offspring have all they need. 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. | 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. |
| 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, 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.” |
| 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. | 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. |
| 11Now go to your home! I said I would reward you richly, but look, the LORD has denied you a reward." | 11Now get out of here! Go back home! I promised to reward you richly, but the LORD has kept you from your reward.” |
| 12Balaam answered Balak, "Didn't I previously tell the messengers you sent me: | 12Balaam told Balak, “Don’t you remember what I told your messengers? I said, |
| 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. | 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! |
| 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 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 Messages |
| 15Then he proclaimed his poem: The oracle of Balaam son of Beor, the oracle of the man whose eyes are opened; | 15This is the message Balaam delivered: “This is the message of Balaam son of Beor, the message of the man whose eyes see 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 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: |
| 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. | 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. |
| 18Edom will become a possession; Seir will become a possession of its enemies, but Israel will be triumphant. | 18Edom will be taken over, and Seir, its enemy, will be conquered, while Israel marches on in triumph. |
| 19One who comes from Jacob will rule; he will destroy the city's survivors. | 19A ruler will rise in Jacob who will destroy the survivors of Ir.” |
| 20Then Balaam saw Amalek and proclaimed his poem: Amalek was first among the nations, but his future is destruction. | 20Then Balaam looked over toward the people of Amalek and delivered this message: “Amalek was the greatest of nations, but its destiny is destruction!” |
| 21Next he saw the Kenites and proclaimed his poem: Your dwelling place is enduring; your nest is set in the cliffs. | 21Then he looked over toward the Kenites and delivered this message: “Your home is secure; your nest is set in the rocks. |
| 22Kain will be destroyed when Asshur takes you captive. | 22But the Kenites will be destroyed when Assyria takes you captive.” |
| 23Once more he proclaimed his poem: Ah, who can live when God does this? | 23Balaam concluded his messages by saying: “Alas, who can survive unless God has willed it? |
| 24Ships will come from the coast of Kittim; they will carry out raids against Asshur and Eber, but they too will come to destruction. | 24Ships will come from the coasts of Cyprus ; they will oppress Assyria and afflict Eber, but they, too, will be utterly destroyed.” |
| 25Balaam then arose and went back to his homeland, and Balak also went his way. | 25Then Balaam left and returned home, and Balak also went on his way. |
| The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. | 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. |
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