| English Standard Version | Berean Study Bible |
| 1When Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not go, as at other times, to look for omens, but set his face toward the wilderness. | 1And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not resort to sorcery as on previous occasions, but he turned his face toward the wilderness. |
| 2And Balaam lifted up his eyes and saw Israel camping tribe by tribe. And the Spirit of God came upon him, | 2When Balaam looked up and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came upon him, |
| 3and he took up his discourse and said, “The oracle of Balaam the son of Beor, the oracle of the man whose eye is opened, | 3and he lifted up an oracle, saying: “This is the prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of a man whose eyes are open, |
| 4the oracle of him who hears the words of God, who sees the vision of the Almighty, falling down with his eyes uncovered: | 4the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who bows down with eyes wide open: |
| 5How lovely are your tents, O Jacob, your encampments, O Israel! | 5How lovely are your tents, O Jacob, your dwellings, O Israel! |
| 6Like palm groves that stretch afar, like gardens beside a river, like aloes that the LORD has planted, like cedar trees beside the waters. | 6They spread out like palm groves, like gardens beside a stream, like aloes the LORD has planted, like cedars beside the waters. |
| 7Water shall flow from his buckets, and his seed shall be in many waters; his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted. | 7Water will flow from his buckets, and his seed will have abundant water. His king will be greater than Agag, and his kingdom will be exalted. |
| 8God brings him out of Egypt and is for him like the horns of the wild ox; he shall eat up the nations, his adversaries, and shall break their bones in pieces and pierce them through with his arrows. | 8God brought him out of Egypt with strength like a wild ox, to devour hostile nations and crush their bones, to pierce them with arrows. |
| 9He crouched, he lay down like a lion and like a lioness; who will rouse him up? Blessed are those who bless you, and cursed are those who curse you.” | 9He crouches, he lies down like a lion; like a lioness, who dares to rouse him? Blessed are those who bless you and cursed are those who curse you.” |
| 10And Balak’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 behold, you have blessed them these three times. | 10Then Balak’s anger burned against Balaam, and he struck his hands together and said to Balaam, “I summoned you to curse my enemies, but behold, you have persisted in blessing them these three times. |
| 11Therefore now flee to your own place. I said, ‘I will certainly honor you,’ but the LORD has held you back from honor.” | 11Therefore, flee at once to your home! I said I would richly reward you, but instead the LORD has denied your reward.” |
| 12And Balaam said to Balak, “Did I not tell your messengers whom you sent to me, | 12Balaam answered Balak, “Did I not already tell the messengers you sent me |
| 13‘If Balak should give me his house full of silver and gold, I would not be able to go beyond the word of the LORD, to do either good or bad of my own will. What the LORD speaks, that will I speak’? | 13that even if Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything of my own accord, good or bad, to go beyond the command of the LORD? I will speak whatever the LORD says. |
| 14And now, behold, I am going to my people. Come, I will let you know what this people will do to your people in the latter days.” | 14Now I am going back to my people, but come, let me warn you what this people will do to your people in the days to come.” |
| 15And he took up his discourse and said, “The oracle of Balaam the son of Beor, the oracle of the man whose eye is opened, | 15Then Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying, “This is the prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of a man whose eyes are open, |
| 16the oracle of him who hears the words of God, and knows the knowledge of the Most High, who sees the vision of the Almighty, falling down with his eyes uncovered: | 16the prophecy 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 behold him, but not near: a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel; it shall crush the forehead of Moab and break down all the sons of Sheth. | 17I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come forth from Jacob, and a scepter will arise from Israel. He will crush the skulls of Moab and strike down all the sons of Sheth. |
| 18Edom shall be dispossessed; Seir also, his enemies, shall be dispossessed. Israel is doing valiantly. | 18Edom will become a possession, as will Seir, his enemy; but Israel will perform with valor. |
| 19And one from Jacob shall exercise dominion and destroy the survivors of cities!” | 19A ruler will come from Jacob and destroy the survivors of the city.” |
| 20Then he looked on Amalek and took up his discourse and said, “Amalek was the first among the nations, but its end is utter destruction.” | 20Then Balaam saw Amalek and lifted up an oracle, saying: “Amalek was first among the nations, but his end is destruction.” |
| 21And he looked on the Kenite, and took up his discourse and said, “Enduring is your dwelling place, and your nest is set in the rock. | 21Next he saw the Kenites and lifted up an oracle, saying: “Your dwelling place is secure, and your nest is set in a cliff. |
| 22Nevertheless, Kain shall be burned when Asshur takes you away captive.” | 22Yet Kain will be destroyed when Asshur takes you captive.” |
| 23And he took up his discourse and said, “Alas, who shall live when God does this? | 23Once more Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying: “Ah, who can live unless God has ordained it? |
| 24But ships shall come from Kittim and shall afflict Asshur and Eber; and he too shall come to utter destruction.” | 24Ships will come from the coasts of Cyprus; they will subdue Asshur and Eber, but they too will perish forever.” |
| 25Then Balaam rose and went back to his place. And Balak also went his way. | 25Then Balaam arose and returned to his homeland, and Balak also went on his way. |
| ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved. | The Berean Bible (Berean Study Bible (BSB) © 2016, 2018 by Bible Hub and Berean.Bible. Used by Permission. All rights Reserved. |
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