| International Standard Version | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 1When Balaam noticed that the LORD was pleased that Balaam was blessing Israel, he didn't behave as he had time after time before, that is, to practice divination. Instead, he turned with his face to 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. |
| 2looked up, and saw Israel encamped in their respective tribal order. Just 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, |
| 3Balaam uttered this prophetic statement: "A declaration by Beor's son Balaam, a declaration by the strong, blind man. | 3and he proclaimed his poem: The oracle of Balaam son of Beor, the oracle of the man whose eyes are opened, |
| 4A declaration from one who hears what God has to say, who saw the vision that the Almighty revealed, who keeps stumbling with open eyes. | 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: |
| 5Jacob, your tents are so fine, as well as your dwelling places, O Israel! | 5How beautiful are your tents, Jacob, your dwellings, Israel. |
| 6They're spread out like valleys, like gardens along river banks, like aloe planted by the LORD, or like cedars beside water. | 6They stretch out like river valleys, like gardens beside a stream, like aloes the LORD has planted, like cedars beside the water. |
| 7He will pour water from his buckets, and his descendants will stream forth like abundant water. His king will be more exalted than Agag when he exalts his own kingdom. | 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 is bringing them out of Egypt with the strength of an ox. He'll devour enemy nations, break their bones, and impale 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. |
| 9He crouches, laying low like a lion. Who would awaken him? Those who bless you are blessed, and those who curse you are cursed." | 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. |
| 10Balak flew into a rage and he started hitting his fists together. "I called you to curse my enemies," he yelled at Balaam. "But look here! You've 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! I had promised you that I would definitely honor you, but now the LORD has kept me from doing that!" | 11Now go to your home! I said I would reward you richly, but look, the LORD has denied you a reward." |
| 12But Balaam replied to Balak, "I told your messengers, | 12Balaam answered Balak, "Didn't I previously tell the messengers you sent me: |
| 13Even if Balak gives me his palace full of silver and gold, I won't double-cross the command of the LORD and do anything—whether good or evil—on my own initiative, because I'm going to say whatever 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. |
| 14Meanwhile, since I have to return to my people, come and listen while I tell you what this people will be doing to your people in the last days." | 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." |
| 15Then Balaam uttered this prophetic statement: "The declaration by Beor's son Balaam, a declaration by the strong, blind man. | 15Then he proclaimed his poem: The oracle of Balaam son of Beor, the oracle of the man whose eyes are opened; |
| 16A declaration from one who hears what God has to say, who knows what the Most High knows, who saw the vision that the Almighty revealed, who keeps stumbling with open eyes. | 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 can see him, but not right now. I observe him, but from a distance. A star streams forth from Jacob; a scepter arises from Israel. He will crush Moab's forehead, along with all of Seth's descendants. | 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 a conquered nation and Seir will be Israel's defeated foe, while Israel performs valiantly. | 18Edom will become a possession; Seir will become a possession of its enemies, but Israel will be triumphant. |
| 19He will rule over Jacob, annihilating those who survive in the city." | 19One who comes from Jacob will rule; he will destroy the city's survivors. |
| 20Next, Balaam looked directly at Amalek and then uttered this prophetic statement: "Even though Amalek is an international leader, his future is permanent destruction." | 20Then Balaam saw Amalek and proclaimed his poem: Amalek was first among the nations, but his future is destruction. |
| 21Balaam also uttered this prophetic statement about the Kenites: "Your dwelling places are stable, because your nest is carved in solid rock. | 21Next he saw the Kenites and proclaimed his poem: Your dwelling place is enduring; your nest is set in the cliffs. |
| 22Nevertheless, Kain will be incinerated. How long will it take until Asshur takes you hostage?" | 22Kain will be destroyed when Asshur takes you captive. |
| 23Finally, he uttered this prophetic statement: "Ah, who can live, unless God makes it happen? | 23Once more he proclaimed his poem: Ah, who can live when God does this? |
| 24Ships under control of Kittim will devastate Asshur and Eber, until they are permanently destroyed." | 24Ships will come from the coast of Kittim; they will afflict Asshur and Eber, but they too will come to destruction. |
| 25Then Balaam got up, returned to his country, and Balak went on his way. | 25Balaam then arose and went back to his homeland, and Balak also went his way. |
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